As the nights get brighter, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people to get out and get active. Colette Brolly, the PHA’s joint lead on Obesity and Physical Activity, said: “Being physically active is really important and daily activity will help you feel better, manage stress, improve your sleep and help you maintain a healthy weight. “During lockdown understandably a lot of people wouldn’t have been as active as previously. As the restrictions ease and people start to feel more confident in getting out and about, it is good opportunity to set yourself a challenge to get fitter

The Public Health Agency (PHA) in Northern Ireland and the Health Service Executive (HSE) in the Republic of Ireland are urging people to stick to key public health advice and exercise caution over coming weeks, particularly with regard to cross-border activity. The call comes as Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland progress on the easing of their respective lockdowns. Dr Gerry Waldron, Head of Health Protection at the PHA, said: “As lockdowns ease in different ways either side of the border, we really want people to continue to exercise caution and restraint to help limit the spread

This Sun Awareness Week [May 3-9] the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are encouraging people to stay safe in the sun and to be UV aware. Denise McCallion, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager at the PHA, said: “As the weather improves and the temperatures rise, many of us will be spending more time outdoors in our gardens or yards either gardening or relaxing with our families and friends, or going outdoors to get some exercise. It is important when spending time outside, to be sun safe and ensure that both adults and children are not overexposed to the

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to stick to key public health advice as restrictions ease as the best way to help keep COVID-19 case numbers down and ensure that everyone can enjoy the benefits as safely as possible. The agency is emphasising a potentially stark warning that if we collectively fail to stick to public health guidance, viral transmission will increase and we will inevitably see increased cases reappear – no-one wants lockdown measures being reintroduced, so everyone has a responsibility to continue to adhere to the guidance. Dr Stephen Bergin, Director of Public

Despite the challenges thrown up by the COVID-19 pandemic, over 30 community and voluntary organisations this year benefitted from expert mentoring and support from organisations that have a track record of demonstrating excellent community development practice and a solid commitment to tackling health inequalities. The Public Health Agency (PHA) commissioned the Community Development and Health Network (CDHN) to develop and deliver the Elevate support programme for the community, voluntary and public sectors. Elevate provides opportunities for developing skills, knowledge and an awareness of

The Public Health Agency (PHA) and Education Authority (EA) are highlighting the importance of asymptomatic testing in schools in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and reminding people that increased testing is likely to see a rise in detection of cases. As schools return from the Easter break on Monday 12 April the programme of asymptomatic testing – testing those with no symptoms of COVID-19 – for all staff in pre-school settings, primary schools and post primary schools will get under way, alongside testing for pupils in years 12-14. Dr Joanne McClean, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at

Northern Ireland’s Interim Mental Health Champion, Professor Siobhan O’Neill, has launched the “How Are You Feeling?” mental health campaign today in her local community pharmacy. The campaign will run throughout April and May and is part of the ‘Living Well’ service that provides information and advice to customers on public health issues in over 500 pharmacies across Northern Ireland. It is delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA), Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI), the Department of Health (DoH), and the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB). By asking the question “How are you