Ahead of International Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Awareness Day (Wednesday 4 March), the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the importance of both vaccination and cervical screening to help drive down rates of HPV-related cancers. The HPV vaccine helps to prevent HPV-related cancers from developing in young people. It is a one dose programme which is offered to children in year 9 while at school, making it convenient for parents and kids, and is given as an injection in the upper arm, the same way as many other vaccines. The evidence shows one jab offers excellent and long-lasting

No Smoking Month is fast approaching, and the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are encouraging smokers to ‘Make March Your Month to Quit’. In 2024/25, a total of 9,587 people were reported to have set a quit date through PHA funded stop smoking services in Northern Ireland. This year could be your year to quit for good and join the thousands of people across Northern Ireland making a positive change to improve their health. Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “March is No Smoking Month and a fantastic opportunity to make the commitment to

10,000 MORE Voices Initiative We want to hear from you. As part of the 10,000 MORE Voices programme, we are gathering real experiences from people across Northern Ireland who use equipment to support independent living. Your story helps us understand what matters most to you, and everything you share is private and confidential. 10,000 MORE Voices places people at the centre of health and social care improvement. By sharing your experience, you help us understand what works well, identify challenges or gaps in support, and improve services for others who rely on similar equipment. Your

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has renewed its call for people to make sure their children are fully vaccinated against preventable diseases following the recent outbreak of measles in England. Measles is highly infectious and is caused by a virus that can easily spread between unvaccinated people. There’s no specific medical treatment for measles, so it’s important to get vaccinated as it’s the best protection against becoming seriously unwell. Rachel Spiers, Senior Commissioning Lead for Immunisations at the PHA, said: “Most of the cases of measles in England have been in children under the

Breastfeeding peer support volunteers are playing a key role in supporting and sustaining breastfeeding rates across Northern Ireland. Working alongside health professionals, they provide free, practical and accessible support to new breastfeeding mums in their local communities. Catherine Magennis, Nurse Consultant at the PHA and Lead for Breastfeeding and Family Nurse Partnership, said: "Breastfeeding offers the best start in life – it provides all the nutrients babies need and acts as natural medicine, helping to protect against infections and reducing the risk of long-term health

Getting advice from reliable sources and not listening to unverifiable information is essential for our sexual health, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has said. During Sexual Health Week (14-21 February), the PHA is using the theme of ‘Sexual health information: who do you listen to?’ to encourage people to visit reliable health websites and talk to healthcare professionals for accurate information. Frances Dowds, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager at the PHA, said: “Your sexual health and wellbeing is important. Looking after it can have a positive impact on both your mental and