Parents are being reminded about the importance of reducing the risk of sudden infant death, as a new survey commissioned by the Public Health Agency (PHA) shows that many adults are unaware of the main risk factors. The cause of sudden infant death syndrome is not known, but there are measures parents can take to reduce the risk of it happening. Most of the respondents to the survey were unaware of the messages of the successful “back to sleep” campaign of the early 1990s. Just 4% showed any awareness of “back to sleep”. Emily Roberts, Designated Nurse for Safeguarding Children at the PHA

Wednesday 28 November the Public Health Agency (PHA) held a celebratory event in Palace Stables, Armagh, showcasing projects which were successful in the ‘Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing’ Small Grants programme. The aim of the programme was to provide the community and voluntary sector with the opportunity to support health improvement initiatives at a local level. The projects must focus on using one or more of the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing approach: Connect; Keep Learning; Be Active; Take Notice; Give. The initiatives showcased at the event varied in content, from self-help and life skills

UK Funders, including Alzheimer’s Society, have united with 15 countries across Europe, Australia and Canada to support international research collaborations into diseases of the brain, including those that cause dementia. The latest Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease (JPND) funding awards represent a €17.5 million (approx. £15.75 million) investment over the next three years. The JPND programme harnesses the collective expertise of researchers around the world to speed up progress towards new treatments and address shared challenges in health and social care. Alzheimer’s Society

Ahead of World AIDS Day (1 December) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone to practise safer sex and get tested early if they have put themselves at risk. A new report from the PHA shows that there are 1,073 people in Northern Ireland living with HIV. The ‘HIV surveillance in Northern Ireland 2018’ report also shows that 84 new first-UK cases of HIV were diagnosed here in 2017. HIV/AIDS is a viral infection caused by type 1 and type 2 HIV retroviruses. It can be transmitted through sexual contact, sharing of HIV-contaminated needles and syringes, and transmission from mother

Ahead of World Antibiotics Awareness Week (12-18 November) people are being warned that, if we continue to overuse antibiotics, we could see many more deaths from simple infections that were previously treatable. The Public Health Agency (PHA) is asking everyone to do their part to help keep antibiotics working for the future. The agency is issuing a reminder that antibiotics should only be used for serious bacterial infections and that the medication doesn’t work for viral infections, like a cold or flu. Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Health Protection at the PHA, said: “Research has shown