This Sun Awareness Week [12-18 May], the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are encouraging everyone to protect their skin from UV damage and also check it regularly for signs and symptoms of skin cancer. Frances Dowds, Health and Wellbeing Improvement Manager at the PHA, said: “It’s great to see and feel the sunshine during the spring and summer and we hope to see plenty of sunny weather over the coming months. “Sunlight helps provide our bodies with vitamin D, supports bone health, lowers blood pressure, helps prevent disease and promotes good mental health. However

This Dying Matters Awareness Week (5-11 May) the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Department of Health (DoH) are encouraging everyone to start conversations about their future care, dying, death and bereavement to help break down stigma. This year’s theme, ‘The Culture of Dying Matters’, delves into the diverse ways that communities discuss, navigate, and commemorate death and dying, while emphasising the shared emotions that connect us all in grief and loss. Sally Convery, Nurse Consultant for Palliative Care at the PHA, said: “There are many differences in the ways that cultures and faiths

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone ahead of World Hand Hygiene Day on the 5 May of the need to wash their hands thoroughly and regularly on days out with the family. Caroline McGeary, Infection Prevention and Control Lead Nurse at the PHA, said: “The spring and summer months are filled with days out with the family, but we want people to have pleasant memories, so it’s important for the whole family to practise good personal hygiene by washing their hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and hot running water when out and about. “All animals naturally carry a range of

Community and voluntary groups are being encouraged to apply for grants to help improve mental health and emotional wellbeing in their areas. Applications for the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) ‘Making Life Better’ short-term funding grant programme opens on Monday 28 April. Fiona Teague, Regional Lead for Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing at PHA, said: “Community and voluntary organisations are acutely aware of the issues that affect people on the ground and this short-term funding programme will give them the opportunity to address issues of mental health and emotional wellbeing specific