A research team from Queen’s, with support from the Public Health Agency (PHA), has found social network interventions, such as Facebook posts and sponsored ads, educating popular teenagers to spread health messages to peer groups can have a positive effect on public health behaviours and outcomes. The research was carried out in partnership with the University of Southern California. Dr Ruth Hunter, from the Centre for Public Health at Queen’s University Belfast and lead author on the paper, explained: “Humans are embedded in social networks and these networks obey very particular rules -

It’s almost back to school time, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) has some top tips for packing a healthy and nutritious lunchbox for the kids. “Recent surveys looking at children’s lunchboxes found that they were too high in fat, especially saturated fat, salt and sugar,” said Judith Hanvey, Regional Food in Schools Coordinator, appointed jointly by the PHA and the Department of Education. “Just under half of lunchboxes contained no fruit. It is important to include a balanced variety of foods in a packed lunch, so that your child can get all the nutrients they need. Avoid fizzy drinks and

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging parents and guardians to talk to young people who are receiving exam results about the risks associated with drinking alcohol and taking drugs. The call comes as thousands of teenagers are set to receive their A-level or GCSE results, which in some cases can lead to excessive drinking or drug taking, so it is important that everyone is aware of the risks, even those who haven’t chosen to drink alcohol or take drugs previously. Davis Turkington, Senior Health and Wellbeing Improvement Officer with the PHA, said: “Parents’ attitudes and behaviours in

The home of Ulster Rugby, the Kingspan Stadium, has signed up to the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme, highlighting their commitment to supporting breastfeeding mums. The announcement comes during the celebrations for World Breastfeeding Week (1–7 August). Breastfeeding Welcome Here helps provide supportive environments and shows public support for breastfeeding mums. Businesses and venues which are part of the scheme pledge to welcome breastfeeding mothers and display a sticker and certificate to show support and that they are members of the scheme. All scheme

The latest sexual health figures released today by the Public Health Agency (PHA) show an increase in the number of new Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) diagnoses made in Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) clinics in Northern Ireland. In particular, there has been an increase in diagnoses of gonorrhoea and infectious syphilis while new diagnoses of genital warts (first episode) decreased. The ‘Sexually Transmitted Infection surveillance in Northern Ireland 2019: An analysis of data for the calendar year 2018’ report shows that: New diagnoses of chlamydia increased by 6%: 1,787 diagnoses in

With nearly two-thirds of adults being overweight or obese, over the coming months more than 500 community pharmacies across Northern Ireland will be encouraging people to think about their weight and raising awareness of healthy eating and physical activity to help improve health. This is part of the new Living Well service which offers advice to pharmacy visitors on public health issues. It is a partnership between the Public Health Agency (PHA), the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) and Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI) under the Making Life Better framework of Empowering Healthy Living and