The Public Health Agency has today emphasised the many health benefits to be gained by eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. The reminder comes in response to the findings of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition which found that 2.5% of cancers could be averted by increasing intake of fruit of vegetables. Dr Carolyn Harper, Director of Public Health at the Public Health Agency, said: “Although the figures appear modest – the impact is still a reduction of 7,000 cases of cancer per year in the UK (100 in NI 1).

The Public Health Agency has today reported a small number of confirmed and suspected cases of measles amongst children and young people within the Craigavon area, Co Armagh. Measles is an acute infection caused by a virus. It used to be very common in children, but is now rare because of the high levels of MMR (Mumps, Measles and Rubella) immunisation. Although most common in children, it can occur at any age. Measles is very infectious and is caught either through direct contact with an infected person, or through the air when the patient coughs or sneezes.

Childminders from the Armagh area have attended training highlighting the importance of promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles for the under 5s. The purpose of the training was to raise awareness of the ‘Healthy Steps for Life’ programme, developed by the Southern Investing for Health Partnership (SIHP) and funded by the Public Health Agency. The programme is designed to develop childminders’ knowledge and practical skills in encouraging greater physical activity among young children.

The Southern Investing for Health Partnership (SIHP) has awarded funding to 41 local community groups across the Southern area. Funded by the Public Health Agency, the SHIPs small grants programme awards funding to community-based groups encouraging local activities that address the key targets in Investing for Health, i.e. poverty and disadvantage; neighbourhood and environment; education and life-skills and healthy choices. One of the first groups to secure funding of almost £1000 is Willowbank Community Resource Centre in Dungannon.

The Southern Investing for Health Partnership’s (SIHP) Small Grants Programme has awarded funding to 41 local community groups across the Southern area. The SHIPs (which is funded by the Public Health Agency) Small Grants Programme awards funding to community-based groups to encourage local activities which address the key targets in Investing for Health, i.e. poverty and disadvantage; neighbourhood and environment; education and life-skills and healthy choices. One of the first groups to secure funding of £1000 is Drumgor Detached Youth Work Project.

www.safehome4me.com celebrates it second birthday this week with over 100,000 hits by users logging online to help prevent accidents in the home. The website has been designed for pre-school and primary school settings but can also be used at home to raise awareness of accident prevention. Through a series of interactive games and ‘watch and learn’ sequences, the website introduces children to behavioural, product and environmental risk factors that can lead to common home accidents.

The Public Health Agency’s Northern Neighbourhoods Health Action Zone in partnership with Ballymoney Borough Council supports local communities to focus on health and well being. Over 120 people from the Ballymoney area recently attended a health fair, on Friday 12th February, at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre in Ballymoney.

Ashgrove Senior Citizens Club in Portadown has received funding from the Southern Investing for Health Partnership (SIHP) to promote physical activity among its members. Funded by the Public Health Agency, the SIHPs small grant programme awarded the Club funding that would enable its members to participate in a range of new physical activities. The Club participated in a six week programme of Boccia and New Age Kurling that provided its members with the opportunity to become more physically active as well as improving their social and communication skills.

The Southern Area Accident Prevention Group (SAAPLG), a committee of the Public Health Agency, has issued a timely reminder about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning following a recent case reported in the media in the South Armagh locality. A newly revised leaflet on carbon monoxide is now available from the Promoting Wellbeing Team, SHSCT www.promotingwellbeing.info. Around 50 people are killed and hundreds more suffer the ill-effects of carbon monoxide poisoning every year in the UK.

The Northern Ireland bowel cancer screening programme was launched on 22nd April 2010. The programme is targeted at all men and women aged 60–69 years and aims to reduce the number of deaths due to bowel cancer by detecting early warning signs of the disease. The screening programme has started in the Northern and Western Trust areas and will be extended across Northern Ireland in the coming months.