Welcome to the Public Health Agency

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Sexual Health Week: Let’s talk about sex!

The theme of this year’s Sexual Health Week campaign (10-16 February) is having open conversations and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people to do just that.

About the Public Health Agency

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary organisation dedicated to improving and protecting the health of the population. As part of the health and social care family, we work closely with the Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) of the Department of Health (DoH), local Health Trusts (HSC Trusts), the Business Services Organisation (BSO) and the Patient Client Council (PCC), and other partners to drive meaningful change across Northern Ireland. 

Guided by our vision of a healthier Northern Ireland, our purpose is to protect and improve the health and social wellbeing of our population.  We are committed to reducing health inequalities through leadership, partnership, and evidence-based practice.

Latest news

  • couple having sex

    Sexual Health Week: Let’s talk about sex!

    06 February 2025

    The theme of this year’s Sexual Health Week campaign (10-16 February) is having open conversations and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people to do just that.

  • Image of a family on the beach in the sun

    Remember to stay sun safe on your winter break

    07 February 2025

    Sunscreen is one holiday essential that often gets left behind when people pack for a winter holiday, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are reminding people not to...

  • The Public Health Agency's Kathy Owens with pharmacist Justin Crozier standing outside Toome Pharmacy holding a green sign that says "MindingYourHead.info"

    Pharmacies encourage everyone to look after your mental health

    03 February 2025

    Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland are providing advice and support to help people look after their mental health in a new campaign. Running throughout February and March,

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Latest publications

  • Look after your mental health

    03 February 2025

    This leaflet highlights the importance of looking after your mental health and being aware of any signs of problems with it.

  • Bottlefeeding

    27 January 2025

    This booklet provides new safety information on the preparation and storage of infant formula milk and is aimed at minimising the risk of infection from bacteria that may sometimes be present in the...

  • Breastfeeding and returning to work

    27 January 2025

    This leaflet aims to encourage breastfeeding mothers to continue breastfeeding after they have returned to work.

All publications

Featured content

  • The PHA has integrated influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 reporting into a weekly report to provide a single overview of the epidemiology of these infections in Northern Ireland, along with the number of respiratory care home outbreaks, hospital admissions and occupancy, and deaths.

  • Pertussis (whooping cough) in Northern Ireland monthly updates. Pertussis (also known as “whooping cough”) is a highly contagious but vaccine preventable bacterial respiratory disease that is usually caused by Bordetella pertussis.

  • Covid-19 genomics weekly report. This report describes the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) variants in Northern Ireland.

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