Limiting the Exposure of Young People to Alcohol Advertising - Seventh Annual Report 2012

The task of the Monitoring Body is to oversee the implementation of and adherence to Voluntary Codes of Practice to limit the exposure of young people, under the age of 18 years, to alcohol advertising.  The Monitoring Body is chaired by Mr Peter Cassells  Download the seventh annual report here

First Steps on health for young people

This project will promote health awareness and encourage a more pro-active approach to looking after your health for12-16 year olds. Although focusing on young people, the approach being used hopes to cascade the information- the young people will take what their understanding into the home and the wider community. In order to reach their objectives they will carry out workshops with the youth in ways that will grab their attention and encourage a ‘change of lifestyles’ for example; painting murals relating to health issues etc. An information day was held as was an art project and several workshops, 1 of which allowed students to make a video on the role of the pharmacist. Results showed teenagers found it beneficial to get information on areas of health that they wanted to increase their awareness in. The project also identified a determination amongst staff to become more aware of the dangers of smoking and the project gave them a means of empowerment to help students who smoke to stop. All those involved in the project either through the information day, workshops or the art project felt it was tangible and was a sensitive wasy to deal with teenge health problems. The project created an understanding of why there is a need to take a communtiy response to such problems.

Young at Heart Men's Club

This project will work with men aged 50 and upwards on a range of health issues including physical health, healthy lifestyle, mental health etc. Other organisations will be brought into talk to the men during the sessions. The project aims to improve the health of the men and encourage them to make healthier choices.

LLT Community Association

Laurencetown, Lenaderg & Tullylish Community Association (LLT) manage a community centre which serves the surrounding rural areas. Programmes include: parent & toddler, youth group, older peopleï¿_s group (offering 1-1 support) and supports other outlying rural groups. LLT has completed 3 Level 2 projects in the past.The first 3 projects have helped develop better understanding and promoted better access to pharmacy services etc (3 miles away), have raised the profile of LLT and put health on the agenda and has worked well with a range of specific groups including men, older people, pre schoolers etc and is currently seeking to target teenagers and parents. A good working relationship has developed between the pharmacist and LLT. They want to continue a similar approach developed through their Level 2 applications but with an increased focus on pre-school children and young people (teenagers) with their parents. Year 1 includes a health fair, 6 talks to local groups, 10 consultations for older people, 4 sessions for mothers, 4 sessions for fathers and 3 sessions with young people. Most of these, apart from the Health Fair, will be repeated in Year 2 & 3.

Analysis of need in relation to 'one stop shop' services for young people in Northern Ireland

An analysis of need for 'one stop shop'; drop-in support services in relation to alcohol and drug misuse, undertaken by the PHA for the Health Development Policy Branch of the DHSSPS.

Talking about drugs: a guide for parents

This leaflet explains why and at what age parents should talk to their children about drugs and also provides advice and tips on how to do this.

Legal highs factsheet

This factsheet has been produced in response to requests from parents and those working with young people for information on legal highs

Teeth matter! Caring for your children's teeth: advice for parents and carers of children with special needs

This booklet explains how to care for the teeth of children with special needs.

Beating cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine - questions and answers for parents of girls in Year 9 (English and eight translations)

This leaflet provides more detailed information in a question and answer format about the HPV vaccine offered to girls in Year 9 which can help protect against cervical cancer.

Healthy child, healthy future - Speech and language therapy: Factsheet for parents 1. Does my child speak clearly?

This factsheet describes how parents can help their child speak more clearly.

Healthy child, healthy future - Speech and language therapy: Factsheet for parents 4. Dummies and talking

This factsheet gives advice to parents on the use of dummies and their effect on a child's speech.

Healthy child, healthy future - Speech and language therapy: Factsheet for parents 5. Does my child have a voice problem?

This factsheet describes voice disorders such as 'hoarseness' in children and what parents can do to help their child with a voice problem.

Healthy child, healthy future - Speech and language therapy: Factsheet for parents 6. Tips for talking: children aged 4 to 5 years

This factsheet highlights simple ideas to encourage speech in children around 4 to 5 years old.

Healthy child, healthy future - Speech and language therapy: Factsheet for parents 3. Talk to your child in your own language

This factsheet encourages non-English speaking parents to talk to their children in their own language.

PHA urges parents to get 'at risk' children vaccinated against seasonal flu

The Public Health Agency is urging Northern Ireland parents to make sure children in 'at risk' groups get their flu vaccine early.The message has been issued to parents and carers of children as the PHA's seasonal flu vaccination programme gets underway for 2011/12.It is very important that children with any condition that puts them more at risk of the complications of flu get the vaccine.These 'at risk' conditions include:chronic lung conditions such as asthma;chest infections that have required hospital admission;chronic heart conditions;chronic liver disease;chronic kidney disease;diabetes;lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroids or cancer therapy;chronic neurological conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis or a condition that affects the nervous system, such as cerebral palsy;hereditary and degenerative diseases of the central nervous system or muscles.Children who attend special schools for severe learning or physical disabilities are considered to be particularly at risk, as well as those with other complex health needs.The PHA has written to principals of local special schools, as well as parents of children at these schools, to raise awareness of the importance of getting vaccinated early.Dr Richard Smithson, PHA Flu Vaccination Lead, said: "For many people, flu is a short, unpleasant illness, but it does not usually cause any serious problems. However, for others, it can have very serious complications including, in rare cases, being fatal."We have been particularly reminded over the last two winters that children with chronic neurological problems and other complex health needs are very vulnerable to these complications. We have seen children become very seriously ill and, tragically, there have even been a few deaths in children who attend special schools."For this reason, we recommend that all children who attend special schools for severe learning disability, and special schools for physical disability, are offered the flu vaccine early in the autumn, before the flu viruses start circulating."The vaccine is now available from GP surgeries and the PHA recommends that parents check arrangements with their own GP's surgery so that their child can get the jab.The earlier you get vaccinated the better, as it takes the body about 10-14 days after the jab to develop antibodies. These will then protect you against the same or similar viruses if the body is exposed to them. The vaccine contains three strains of the flu virus, which are considered the most likely to be circulating this winter, including the H1N1 (swine flu) virus."Your child needs to get the flu jab every year - the protection it gives only lasts for one winter, so even if they got it last year, they still need to get it this year," added Dr Smithson."Also, if your child has been diagnosed with flu or swine flu in the past couple of years, they will still need the jab this year as there are different types of flu that the jab will protect against. Getting the flu jab is the best way to protect your child against flu and we would strongly recommend that you arrange for them to have it."Although the vaccine gives good protection, no vaccine gives total protection, so if your child develops flu-like symptoms (such as fever, cough, aches and pains, and sore throat) you should contact your GP for advice. If your child has any of these symptoms, they should be kept at home until they feel better."For more information on seasonal flu, go to www.fluawareni.info and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.