A Londonderry/Derry man has spoken of his relief when a simple scan detected a potentially life-threatening condition – an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging all men aged 65 and over to consider taking up the offer of screening for this serious condition.

Northern Ireland hospitals are now the most baby friendly in the UK after three more were awarded the prestigious UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) Award. The initiative works with public services to protect, promote and support breastfeeding and to strengthen mother-baby and family relationships. Support for these relationships is important for all babies, not only those who are breastfed.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging school leavers and first-time university students to get the new meningococcal vaccine which is available from today [3 August]. Through a new immunisation programme, everyone born between 2 July 1996 and 1 July 1997, and first time university students up to the age of 25, will be offered the Men ACWY vaccine.

To mark World Hepatitis Day today [28 July], the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people who think they may be at risk of hepatitis B or C infection in particular to get tested and prevent the spread. Viral hepatitis kills 4,000 people every day worldwide and, although not very common in Northern Ireland, it is estimated 400 million people across the globe are infected.

The working group updating the 2007 national clinical guidelines on drug treatment has published some preliminary advice [attatched] on naloxone before addressing its supply and use more fully in the published update next year.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is taking the opportunity during the Belfast Pride Festival to raise awareness about the importance of looking after our mental and emotional wellbeing. The 25th Belfast Pride Festival starts today (Friday 24 July) and runs until Sunday 2 August.

With skin cancer on the rise, the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland have taken their message to the people who deal directly with our skin by holding workshops for beauty therapy tutors. The PHA and Cancer Focus NI have held a series of workshops for beauty therapy tutors in further education colleges across Northern Ireland with the aim of improving their knowledge and skills in the causes, prevention and early detection of skin cancer.

A report which aims to help save children’s lives by highlighting the dangers of looped blind cords and chains is to be released today (July 9).