With the Christmas party season in full swing the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to be mindful of their alcohol intake. Many people do not realise that alcohol is a powerful drug and we need to be careful how we use it. Drinking too much can seriously affect our health.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) are urging people who have experienced bereavement, whether the death was expected or sudden and in any care setting or at home, to share their story through the 10,000 More Voices programme to help shape how care is delivered in Northern Ireland.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is using World AIDS Day today as an opportunity to raise awareness about HIV and encourage people to practise safer sex and get tested if they think they might be at risk. This comes as the PHA publishes its ‘HIV surveillance in Northern Ireland 2017’ report, which provides analysis of the latest HIV data for Northern Ireland.

Local people living with a dementia, their families and carers, voluntary organisations and health and social care professionals are committed to partnership working, moving forward together, in the future development of dementia services in Northern Ireland. This was the key message from the Dementia Together NI Celebration Event held on 30 November 2017 at the Hilton Hotel in Templepatrick.

Health professionals here have joined forces to raise awareness of the causes, signs and symptoms of Mouth Cancer. Around 200 people are diagnosed with mouth cancer each year in Northern Ireland, often at a late stage, with about a third of those diagnosed dying from the disease. And according to figures from the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, the number of cases looks set to double by 2035.

With a yellow warning for ice to continue into the weekend, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is advising everyone to look after themselves and their neighbours during the cold snap. For some the onset of the cold weather can bring many hazards. Vulnerable and older people can find it difficult to get out to the shops or to keep their house adequately heated during the cold weather, putting them at risk. The PHA is encouraging everyone to look out for those who may be more vulnerable during the cold weather and check that they are ok.