During Infant Mental Health Awareness Week, which will take place from the 12th–18th June, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is raising awareness of why infant mental health matters so much and the importance of ‘Bonding Before Birth’. Bryan Leonard, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager and lead for Early Years at the PHA, said: “Infant mental health describes the social and emotional wellbeing and development of children in the earliest years of life. This includes their ability to form close relationships, recognise and express emotions and explore and learn about their environment.

New animations highlighting the dangers around the garden and how we can prevent accidents have been launched by the Public Health Agency (PHA). On average, two people die every week in Northern Ireland because of an accident in the home, and in the drier and hotter weather, and as we approach the summer holidays, people will be spending more time outdoors and in their garden. With this in mind the PHA has teamed up with partners involved in the delivery of the Home Accident Prevention Strategy to launch new animations focussing on overall garden safety, risks of accidents with garden

There are a number of simple steps that will help protect against the sun’s harmful rays: Seek shade when the sun is at its strongest – generally 11am to 3pm. Cover up in the sun with a long sleeved t-shirt and a hat. Wear sunglasses that have a CE mark or carry British Standard BS EN ISO 12312-1 with a UV 400 label and offer 100% UV protection. This will ensure they provide adequate protection from both UVA and UVB. Sunglasses should fit your face well and relatively snugly so that light doesn't enter your eye from around the lens. Use sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 for UVB protection and

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is continuing to urge people to be vigilant about mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) and get vaccinated if eligible, following an increase in cases in London over the past four weeks and ahead of summer holidays. Dr Gillian Armstrong, Consultant in Health Protection at the PHA, said: “Vaccination has played a crucial role in protecting people and reducing case numbers. Those who are eligible but have not yet received both doses of the vaccine are being encouraged to come forward and book their first or second dose as vaccination will continue for those eligible

The Public Health Agency (PHA) and colleagues from the Neonatal Network Northern Ireland (NNNI) have launched a new video highlighting the benefits of breastfeeding and showcasing the support that is available to mums and families of premature babies and babies in neonatal units to encourage them to breastfeed in those early days. Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, said : “Breast milk is important for all babies and is particularly beneficial for premature babies and those who need extra support in the neonatal unit. There are significant clinical benefits to giving

This Bike Week (5-11 June) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone to get cycling and start to feel the benefits of getting more active by simply fitting it in to their daily routine. For many people cycling is something they might not have done in a while and Bike Week is the ideal time to get back in the saddle. Gerard Walls, Senior Health and Social Wellbeing Officer at the PHA, said: “Cycling is growing in popularity because not only is it a fun and easy method of transport but it’s also a great way to get moving more and will help to improve your physical and mental health

A new campaign focusing on the importance of getting the best from your sunscreen and reducing your risk of skin cancer has been launched in community pharmacies across Northern Ireland. ‘Care in the sun’ is running in community pharmacies throughout June and July as part of the Living Well service. Living Well is offered in over 500 pharmacies across Northern Ireland and provides information and advice on public health issues. It is delivered in partnership by the Public Health Agency (PHA), Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI), and the Department of Health (DoH). Denise McCallion, Health Improvement

Accidents are the main cause of death for children post-infancy, with many occurring in the home. During Child Safety Week (5-11 June) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is raising awareness of accidents that can happen in the home and providing tips to help prevent them. Janine Gaston, the PHA’s Regional Lead on Home Accident Prevention, said: "In Northern Ireland in a typical week, two people die as a result of home accidents. In addition to these deaths, there are approximately 17,000 admissions to hospital each year as a result of unintentional injuries. “We also know that home accidents are

This year’s COVID-19 spring booster is being offered to individuals aged five years and over with a weakened immune system (immunosuppressed). The Public Health Agency (PHA) would therefore like to take this opportunity to encourage those people to take up the offer to prolong protection already received from initial COVID-19 vaccinations, ahead of any potential wave of the virus over the summer months. Immunosuppressed individuals include, but are not limited to, those undergoing cancer treatments leading to immunosuppression, solid organ transplant recipients, bone marrow or stem cell