While most people’s spring cleaning to-do lists have more to do with mops and brooms than safety precautions, the Public Health Agency (PHA) and local councils in Northern Ireland are urging people to take steps to improve home safety when carrying out the spring clean. Hilary Johnston, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager with the PHA, said: “More accidents happen in the home than anywhere else, so this year we are calling on people to consider adding a few tasks to the spring cleaning regimen that are aimed at keeping your home not only tidy but safe also.” To help you on your way

Report reveals legacy of public health research centres By building capacity and capability in public health research, a report shows how the legacy of a UK-wide network of centres of excellence has helped fuel future public health and prevention research. Since 2008, partners in the UK Clinical Research Collaboration * (UKCRC) have invested £37 million in a network of six Public Health Research Centres of Excellence ** (UKCRC centres) to increase infrastructure, build academic capacity in public health research in the UK and provide a platform to engage with policy and practice. The report

On Friday 29 March, more than 80 delegates attended the launch of the findings from HSC R&D Division’s Dementia Care Research Programme, funded in partnership with The Atlantic Philanthropies. Seven projects were funded as part of this programme and led by teams from both universities in collaboration with partners and co-investigators from over 30 organisations. Topics included pain assessment at the end of life, advance care planning, communication of risk, facilitated reminiscence, technology enriched housing, the prescription of medication in primary care and the evaluation of a healthcare

A new social media video launched today by the Public Health Agency (PHA) highlights the importance of getting the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, particularly given recent measles outbreaks in continental Europe. Dr Jenny Mack, Specialty Registrar in Public Health at the Public Health Agency, said: “Measles is one of the most infectious viral diseases known. It spreads either through direct contact with an infected person or through the air when the patient coughs or sneezes. “It causes high fever and rash that usually passes in about seven to ten days without causing further

A new programme to tackle the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes has been launched by PHA. The programme has been developed as part of Northern Ireland’s approach to providing innovative services which have a focus on prevention and has been supported by investment from the transformation fund. Approximately 96,000 people are living with diabetes in Northern Ireland, a startling 69.3% increase since 2007 [1] . Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90% of all cases of diabetes and is a serious and progressive condition. The disease can lead to early loss of life, cause preventable sight loss in

A year on from the successful #NotSorryMums breastfeeding campaign, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has seen a huge rise in the numbers joining its Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme. More than 740 popular family venues, council facilities, cafes, tourist attractions and a host of other businesses are members of the scheme – an increase of more than 200 since the campaign launched at the end of January 2017. All of the venues, along with info on breastfeeding support groups in your area, can be found on www.breastfedbabies.org Janet Calvert, Regional Breastfeeding Lead for the PHA, said: “While

With the clocks set to go forward this weekend and the nights getting brighter, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone to use it as an opportunity to increase their levels of physical activity. Colette Brolly, the PHA’s lead on physical activity, said: “A stretch in the evenings means that we have more opportunity to get involved in physical activity. “There are loads of ways to be more active – many of them perfect for anyone who’s not been physically active for a while, such as walking, gardening swimming or playing outside with the kids. Over the dark winter months it can be

Ahead of World TB Day [24 March], new figures from the Public Health Agency (PHA) have revealed that the number of reported cases of Tuberculosis (TB) has dropped in Northern Ireland. There were 57 cases reported in 2018, down from 71 in 2017 and 85 in 2016. Dr Michael Devine, Consultant in Health Protection at the PHA, said: “TB is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs, but can impact on other parts of the body. It is spread from person to person when someone who has TB of the lungs coughs or sneezes. “Despite the fall in cases over the past three years, TB remains an

As people get ready to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging anyone choosing to drink to keep an eye on their alcohol intake by making a plan of setting a limit and sticking to it. The PHA’s Drugs and Alcohol lead Michael Owen said: “A lot of people will be making plans to meet up with their friends and family to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and we are encouraging them to keep an eye on their alcohol intake should they choose to drink. “By setting a plan, you can avoid binge drinking which has been shown to have adverse on our health and safety. “It’s recommended