On World TB Day (Monday 24 March), new figures from the Public Health Agency (PHA) have revealed a steady increase in cases of tuberculosis (TB) in Northern Ireland since 2021. There were 86 cases of TB notified to the PHA in 2024, an increase from 78 cases reported in 2023, 69 cases reported in 2022 and 54 cases in 2021. Dr Jillian Johnston, Consultant in Health Protection at the PHA, said: “TB is an infection that is spread in the air by inhaling small droplets from someone with infectious TB of the lungs who coughs, sneezes, talks or sings. Although TB mainly affects the lungs, it can

As people get ready to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging anyone choosing to drink to be careful and keep an eye on their alcohol intake by making a plan, setting a limit and sticking to it. Kevin Bailey, Joint Regional Lead for Drugs and Alcohol at the PHA, said: “Many people will be making plans to meet up with their friends and family to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and we are encouraging them to keep an eye on their alcohol intake should they choose to drink. “By setting a plan, you can avoid binge drinking which has been shown to have adverse effects

The Public Health Agency (PHA) was delighted to welcome Mary Gordon, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Roots of Empathy (ROE) Canada to Strandtown Primary School for a very special visit during World Empathy Week to see first-hand the programme being delivered to children across Northern Ireland. Empathy is described as the ability to take on another person’s perspective, to understand, feel, share and respond to their experience. The Roots of Empathy programme reflects this perfectly. Roots of Empathy is funded by the PHA and co-ordinated by local health trusts working closely

Antimicrobial resistance is a huge public health concern and tackling it is one of the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) priorities. As antimicrobial resistance worsens, our antibiotics become less effective, and it’s vital that we keep the public informed on this issue including how they can contribute to save some of our most precious medicines. One aspect of this educational tool is to encourage people to be careful with antibiotic use - and that includes children and young people. e-Bug is a free health education resource for teachers, which aims to reduce antibiotic resistance by helping

The first ever Living Donation Week is taking place between 10-16 March 2025 to shine a spotlight on the UK Living Kidney Sharing Scheme (UKLKSS) celebrating 2,000 donors who have donated through the scheme – 204 of these from Northern Ireland. Living Donation Week also highlights the need for more living donors. There are over 6,000 people in the UK waiting for a kidney transplant, almost 90 of those in Northern Ireland. The average wait for a kidney transplant from a deceased donor is around three years. For some people from minority ethnic groups and people who are difficult to match, the