Parents and guardians of teenage girls are being reminded of the importance of girls receiving the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide but the HPV vaccine can help protect against it, reducing the risk of getting cervical cancer by over 70% The vaccine is offered to girls in year 9, with a chance to catch up on any missed doses in year 10. Letters are being sent to parents and guardians of girls who are eligible, with information on how they can receive it this school term.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people to use World Suicide Prevention Day as an opportunity to ‘have a chat’ with someone they are concerned about. World Suicide Prevention Day is held annually on 10 September and the theme this year is ‘Take a minute, change a life.’

Almost One Third of People Think Palliative Care is only Available in a Hospice or Hospital Research published to coincide with Palliative Care Week 2017 (3rd – 9th September) reveals four out of five people think palliative care can only be provided by specialist palliative care teams. It also found that almost one third of people think palliative care is only available in a hospice or hospital. Palliative Care Week is facilitated by All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC), across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

With more than three-fifths of primary school pupils here being driven to school, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging parents to get their kids and themselves moving more by walking or cycling the school run. 61% of primary school pupils are driven to or from school by car, while less than a third – only 29% – walk. For post primary, 30% of pupils are driven by car and 18% walk.