Lifelines

A round-up of other Consumer Health stories in brief...

Celebration of ageing during month of May

The month-long celebration of ageing, Bealtaine, runs throughout May with art gallery tours, writing workshops, readings and seminars. Some special events require advance bookings. These include the dance and music workshops, Too Young To Be Old, at the National Concert Hall from May 12th to 24th (tel: 01-417 0000) and other dance workshops with the Dance Exchange and Coiscéim. For full details, contact Age & Opportunity on 01-805 7709 or see  www.bealtaine.com.

Relaxation with yoga weekends

Yoga weekends are becoming a popular way to have a healthy break from routine. Forthcoming events include a weekend of yoga, walking and relaxation at Rusheens Yoga Centre, Kenmare, Co Kerry from April 25th to 27th and May 9th to 11th (tel: 064-41669) and a course in Iyengar yoga at the East Clare Yoga Centre, Tuamgraney, Co Clare from May 2nd to 5th (tel: 061-640 923).

Promoting a healthy nation

Promoting a Healthy Nation is the topic of a public meeting next Tuesday at 6pm in the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, 6 Kildare St, Dublin 2. Speakers including Dr Edna Roche, paediatric endocrinologist at the National Children's Hospital, Tallaght and Ursula O'Dwyer, national nutrition policy adviser, will focus in particular on childhood obesity. Admission is free but advanced booking is required on tel: 01 8639700 or e-mail  college@rcpi.ie

Cork hosts spina bifida conference

Positive Life Choices is the theme of the 40th anniversary conference of the Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (IASBAH). Experts from the US, Wales and Belgium will address the conference on May 9th and 10th in the Radison SAS Hotel, Little Island, in Cork city. See  www.iasbah.ie.

Survey on baby feeding plans

A national survey of women giving birth in the Republic is being conducted by the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Trinity College Dublin on behalf of the HSE.

All maternity hospitals are taking part and every woman who gives birth in April is being asked a few questions about their plans for feeding their baby - breast or formula milk, and why?