During Cervical Cancer Prevention week (22-29January) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding women to take up the invitation to have a regular cervical screening test. Dr Tracy Owen, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the PHA, said: “Data from 2010-2014 show that, on average, 96 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 23 women die from the disease each year in Northern Ireland. It is therefore important for women to accept their invitation for a screening test – it could literally save your life.

Students returning to university for the start of term are being urged by the Public Health Agency (PHA) to get a vaccine that can help protect against meningitis and septicaemia. The vaccine, which helps protect against meningococcal A, C, W and Y disease, is available from GPs for anyone aged 17-19 years (ie those born between 2 July 1996 and 1 July 1999), and first time university students up to the age of 25. Figures show that only around half of those eligible in this age group have so far taken up the free vaccine.

As we progress through January, many people who quit smoking as a New Year’s Resolution may be finding it tough to stay off tobacco, so the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to make use of the support that is available to help make their decision permanent. Colette Rogers, Strategic Lead for Tobacco Control with the PHA, said: “We know that stopping smoking can be very difficult, but help is at hand.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding all people aged 70 and 78 years old that they are eligible to receive the shingles vaccine. The vaccine will help protect them against this common and painful disease and its complications. The shingles vaccine is being offered routinely to people who were aged 70 years on 1 September 2016 (born between 2 September 1945 and 1 September 1946 inclusive); and as part of a catch-up programme, also to those aged 78 on 1 September (born between 2 September 1937 and 1 September 1938 inclusive).

This Obesity Awareness Week (9-15 January) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone to try to cook healthier recipes, cut out snacks and get a bit more active. Caroline Bloomfield, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Senior Manager at the PHA, said: “At this time of year, many of us are looking at what we can do to be that little bit healthier, so the PHA is offering top tips on how you can make a difference with some simple steps.

As many of us celebrate and enjoy the holidays with our families and friends, we should remember that this is also a very busy period for our local GPs, nurses and other staff providing an out of hours service. GP out-of-hours is offered by five different providers to everyone registered with a GP practice in Northern Ireland, and functions 365 days of the year outside of normal GP working hours. The demand on these services also increases during the holidays when regular surgeries are closed.