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

Mpox vaccine reminder as cases identified in England
Tuesday, 13 June 2023 - News
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is continuing to urge people to be vigilant about mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) and get vaccinated if eligible, following an increase in cases in London over the past four weeks and ahead of summer holidays. Dr
New video launched to showcase benefits of breastfeeding for premature and neonatal babies
Friday, 09 June 2023 - News
The Public Health Agency (PHA) and colleagues from the Neonatal Network Northern Ireland (NNNI) have launched a new video highlighting the benefits of breastfeeding and showcasing the support that is available to mums and families of premature babies
Put wheels in motion for better health this Bike Week
Monday, 05 June 2023 - News
This Bike Week (5-11 June) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone to get cycling and start to feel the benefits of getting more active by simply fitting it in to their daily routine. For many people cycling is something they might not