New figures from the Public Health Agency (PHA) reveal that number of reported cases of Tuberculosis (TB) has dropped in Northern Ireland. Today (24 March) is World TB Day and data show that there were 70 cases reported in 2015, a fall of 26% on the previous year. In 2014 there were 97 cases, in 2013 there were 74, and in 2012 there were 87 reported cases.

The Director of Public Health’s Core Tables contain a range of demographic information on population numbers, births and birth rates, deaths and death rates, causes of death and life expectancy. It also includes information on infectious disease notifications, screening uptake rates and self-harm presentations to Emergency departments. The tables and more details are available here Some key points to highlight from the 2014 Core Tables are:

Ards and North Down Borough Council has become the latest organisation to join the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme – a programme to increase the number of premises which welcome breastfeeding mums. There are 27 council-run facilities signed up including community and leisure centres, which brings the total number of popular local attractions, businesses and council venues signed up to the initiative across Northern Ireland to over 400.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to keep an eye on their alcohol intake ahead of St Patrick’s Day, emphasising the dangers of binge drinking and the effects that excess alcohol can have on your health and your safety. The PHA’s Drugs and Alcohol lead Owen O’Neill 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.”

Spring has sprung and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people in Fermanagh to explore new ways of looking after their health and wellbeing using the Five Ways to Wellbeing approach. “Spring is a great opportunity to take a fresh approach to looking after your mental health,” said Brendan Bonner. Head of Health and Wellbeing Improvement with the PHA in the Western area. “With the brighter nights coming in, there is more opportunity to get out and about, whether that be exercising, meeting up with friends or taking up a new hobby.”

Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, supported by the Public Health Agency (PHA), is warning that sunbeds are a surefire way to damage and age your skin. The alert comes at the start of a new poster, social media and radio campaign - using the hashtag #theuglyside - highlighting the dangers of sunbed use, particularly for young people. Research shows that using a sunbed can increase your chances of developing skin cancer, and starting sunbed use before the age of 35 can double that risk.

A new service launched today (9 March 2016) will improve the treatment of people with cancer. The new Acute Oncology Service will focus on the care of people with cancer who need to attend hospital, often at night or at the weekend, because of complications of their illness or its treatment. All Trusts in Northern Ireland are introducing the service at the same time and this is the first area in the UK to establish acute oncology services on a regional basis.