Sexually Transmitted Infection surveillance in Northern Ireland 2014

Summary points In Northern Ireland Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinics in 2013 • New diagnoses of uncomplicated chlamydia increased by 1% ; 1,699 diagnoses in 2013 compared with 1,676 in 2012. • New diagnoses of uncomplicated gonorrhoea increased by 19%; 537 in 2013 compared with 451in 2012. • New diagnoses of genital herpes simplex (first episode) increased by 8%; 385 in 2013 compared with 357 in 2012. • New diagnoses of genital warts (first episode) decreased by 9%; 1, 989 in 2013 compared with 2190 in 2012. • New diagnoses of infectious syphilis increased by 3%; 72 in 2013 compared with �70 in 2012. �

Northern Ireland Substitute Prescribing Database Report 31 March 2013

This bulletin summarises information on individuals referred to the Northern Ireland Substitute Prescribing Scheme (SPS). It relates to those referred up to and including the 31 March 2013 and focuses on those patients in contact with Substitute Prescribing treatment services during 2012/13.

Baseline Survey of Northern Ireland Public Awareness of Cancer Signs and Symptoms

In May 2014, the Public Health Agency (the PHA) commissioned Social Market Research (www.socialmarketresearch.co.uk) to undertake a baseline survey on public awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer. The survey is based on face-to-face interviews with a representative sample of 1,000 adults plus an additional booster sample (n=410) of men and women aged 50+.

HIV surveillance in Northern Ireland 2014

This report aims to provide an overview of HIV epidemiology in Northern Ireland by collating and analysing information from a number of sources. Although it reflects epidemiological trends over time, its main focus will be on data collected in 2013.

Northern Ireland Registry of Self-Harm Annual Report 2013/14

This second annual report from the Northern Ireland Self-Harm Registry presents an analysis of the incidence of self-harm presentations to the 12 Emergency Departments across Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Registry of Self-Harm Western Area Six Year Summary Report 2007-2012

This report is a summary report of the six-year period between 2007- 2012.

Phase 1 Delivering care "A framework for nursing and Midwifery Workforce planning to support person centred care in Northern Ireland"

Delivering Care - Nurse staffing in Northern Ireland is the outcome of a commission undertaken by the PHA Director of Nursing from the DHSSPS Chief Nursing Officer and approved by the Minister of Health in 2014.� The aim of the Delivering Care project is to support the provision of quality care which is safe and effective in hospital and community settings.

Pathoecology and paleodiet in Postclassic: Historic Maya from northern coastal Belize

This paper examines the synergism among diet, disease, and ecology at two related coastal Maya sites in Belize (Marco Gonzalez and San Pedro) for the Postclassic and Historic periods (1350-1650 AD), which immediately follow the Classic period collapse. Stable carbon- and nitrogen-isotope ratios in collagen and stable carbon-isotope ratios in structural carbonate were analysed for bones from 65 humans and a wide variety of faunal species. There are no apparent differences in whole diets or degree of carnivory between individuals with lesions indicative of anemia and those without, but those with lesions appear to have consumed significantly more C4 foods and protein from lower trophic levels. Non-specific infection (periostitis) and vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) are also present in high frequencies and appear to co-occur with lesions indicative of anemia, particularly in childhood. Individuals with scurvy also appear to have consumed significantly more C4 foods than normal individuals. Spondyloarthropathy is common in adults. These findings are discussed in light of: (1) the debate on how anemia versus scurvy are manifest and diagnosed, (2) Spanish ethnohistoric descriptions of the poor state of Maya health at the time of contact, and (3) the Osteological Paradox. We suggest that although this coastal environment exacerbated morbidity because of possible parasitic infection, the inhabitants were probably able to survive physiological stresses better than either their inland contemporaries or their modern counterparts.

Reporting on suicide poster

A guidance poster for newsrooms which includes ten things to remember when reporting suicide. The poster is taken from Samaritans and Irish Association of Suicidology's Media Guidelines for Reporting Suicide.

Northern Ireland Registry of Self-Harm Western Area. Supplement 2: Recommended Next Care Following Hospital Treated Self-Harm in the Western Area of Northern Ireland, 2007-2012

In February 2015 the Public Health Agency (PHA) launched a six year review on the incidence of self-harm in the Western Health & Social Care Trust (WHSCT) area of Northern Ireland (NI). This was the fourth report to emerge from the Northern Ireland (NI) Registry of Self-Harm and the first to report on long-term trends (2007 to 2012).

Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Northern Ireland: Annual surveillance report 2013

This report presents the epidemiological data for tuberculosis cases reported in Northern Ireland.

Surveillance of Influenza in Northern Ireland 2014-2015

The 2014/15 influenza season was characterised by moderate levels of influenza activity.� Primary care consultation rates were higher than in 2013/14 for the majority of the season, although still low overall.� Activity seen in other surveillance was also higher than in 2013/14 year, and showed that the severity and impact of influenza was greater in 2014/15 and affected older age groups most frequently, with more reported respiratory outbreaks, patients with confirmed influenza admitted to Intensive Care Units/High Dependency Units and excess mortality in those over 65 years of a

HIV surveillance in Northern Ireland 2015

This report aims to provide an overview of HIV epidemiology in Northern Ireland by collating and analysing information from a number of sources. Although it reflects epidemiological trends over time, its main focus will be on data collected in 2014.

Tobacco Control Northern Ireland

Cigarettes are the only legal product which, when used as intended, will kill half of its users. Furthermore, smoking has been identified as the single greatest cause of preventable illness and premature death in Northern Ireland with one in every six deaths in Northern Ireland being attributable to smoking. These and other key facts about tobacco, e-cigarettes and the tobacco industry are summarised in a new tobacco briefing paper ��'Tobacco Control Northern Ireland��'.

Smoke Free Spaces: Progress in reducing exposure to second-hand smoke in Northern Ireland incorporating the five year review of smoke-free legislation

This report provides an overview of progress in reducing Second Hand Smoke (SHS) exposure in Northern Ireland that incorporates the five year review of smoke-free legislation, but also extends to a consideration of SHS exposure in non-work environments.  The report considers aspects of inequalities in SHS exposure in particular according to social disadvantage and with a focus on vulnerable subgroups of the population.