Welcome | HSC Public Health Agency

Top up your COVID-19 protection with the spring booster

The COVID-19 spring booster vaccination programme gets under way today [Monday 15 April], giving the more vulnerable members of our community the opportunity to top up their protection ahead of any potential waves of COVID-19 over the coming months.

Parents urged to talk to young people about vaping Spice dangers

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging parents and guardians to talk to young people about the dangers of vaping unknown substances as it could make them seriously ill or even be fatal.

The PHA is focussing in particular on the dangers of vaping ‘Spice’, a synthetic drug which mimics the effects of cannabis. Spice is a nickname for a substance containing one or more of a group of drugs called synthetic cannabinoids.

Image of man holding his stomach with added text 'Bowel Cancer Awareness Month - Screening and symptom awareness are key to early detection'

1 in 20 people will develop bowel cancer in Northern Ireland

This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month [April], the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people about the two key actions to help combat bowel cancer – act when you notice symptoms, and take part in screening if eligible.

Tuberculosis is still a public health threat

Ahead of World TB Day on Sunday 24 March, new figures from the Public Health Agency (PHA) have revealed a steady increase in cases of tuberculosis (TB) in Northern Ireland since 2020.

There were 77 cases of TB notified to the PHA in 2023, an increase from 68 cases reported in 2022 and 55 cases reported in both 2021 and 2020.

What we do

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is responsible for providing health protection and health and social wellbeing improvement to every member of every community in Northern Ireland. We are committed to addressing the causes and associated inequalities of preventable ill-health and lack of wellbeing.
The Public Health Agency was established in April 2009 as part of the reforms to Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland. We are a multi-disciplinary, multi-professional body with a strong regional and local presence.

Directorates

The PHA operates under a framework of three functional areas: Public Health, Nursing and Allied Health Professionals, and Operations, in order to carry out our mandate to safeguard public health, promote public health and social welfare, and reduce inequalities in health and social wellbeing. Our corporate and business plans reflect these arrangements and our purpose as an organisation. Access our Directorates and Service Areas here

Latest

‘Care in the sun’ Living Well campaign launched
Monday, 05 June 2023 - News
A new campaign focusing on the importance of getting the best from your sunscreen and reducing your risk of skin cancer has been launched in community pharmacies across Northern Ireland. ‘Care in the sun’ is running in community pharmacies throughout
Safety made simple during Child Safety Week
Thursday, 01 June 2023 - News
Accidents are the main cause of death for children post-infancy, with many occurring in the home. During Child Safety Week (5-11 June) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is raising awareness of accidents that can happen in the home and providing tips to
Open letter from the Public Health Agency to immunosuppressed people regarding their spring booster
Thursday, 25 May 2023 - News
This year’s COVID-19 spring booster is being offered to individuals aged five years and over with a weakened immune system (immunosuppressed). The Public Health Agency (PHA) would therefore like to take this opportunity to encourage those people to