Whooping Cough (Pertussis) immunisation for pregnant women - Factsheet

This factsheet provides information and encourages uptake of the whooping cough vaccine for pregnant women. Cases of whooping cough are on the increase – by getting the vaccine while pregnant you can protect your baby.

This factsheet provides information and encourages uptake of the whooping cough vaccine for pregnant women. Cases of whooping cough are on the increase – by getting the vaccine while pregnant you can protect your baby.

Feel good in the fresh air at new outdoor gym

People in south Belfast can now get fit in a fresh way at a newly launched outdoor gym at Blythefield in the Sandy Row and Village area. Funded by Belfast City Council and the Public Health Agency under the Active Belfast Programme, the gym is the first of its kind in the Belfast council area and has been installed in consultation with the local community. Today (Monday, 1 October) the gym was officially opened, and members of the community can now try a range of exercises including air walking, hip twisting and ski cross country all in one place.

Know your breasts and attend screening when invited – it could save your life!

With Breast Cancer Awareness month beginning today (Monday 1st - Wednesday 31st October 2012) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging all women to be breast aware and to attend screening when invited. “Prevention and early detection are key to saving lives,” said Dr Adrian Mairs, Consultant in Public Health, PHA and Quality Assurance Director for the Northern Ireland Breast Screening Programme.

PHA launches seasonal flu vaccination programme 2012/2013

Northern Ireland people whose health could be seriously affected by flu were today urged to get the free flu vaccine as the Public Health Agency (PHA) launched its seasonal flu vaccination programme for 2012/2013. The message going out to people in ‘at risk’ groups, including over 65s, pregnant women, children and adults with some serious medical conditions, as well as youngsters attending schools for children with severe learning difficulties, is ‘Flu is more serious than you think – so get the flu vaccination now’.

On World Rabies Day remember the threat when travelling abroad

To mark World Rabies Day (September 28) the PHA is urging people travelling overseas to be aware of the risk of catching the almost always fatal infection. The aim of World Rabies Day is to raise awareness about the impact of human and animal rabies, how easy it is to prevent, and how to eliminate the main global sources. Rabies in humans is 100% preventable, yet more than 55,000 people – mostly in Africa and Asia die from rabies every year.

Students – if you have sex, protect yourself

With sexually transmitted infections on the rise, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding those students who choose to have sex, to make it safer as the new academic term starts. Leaving home or making many new friends at college or university is an exciting time for students, but young people starting this new chapter in their lives could be putting their health in danger through sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or run the risk of an unplanned pregnancy if they have unprotected sex.

Highlighting the importance of physical activity in early years

‘Working together to increase physical activity in early years is vital to improving children’s overall health and wellbeing’ - that’s what delegates heard at a seminar about the importance of ensuring children get off to the best start in life. The seminar was jointly hosted by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the British Heart Foundation’s National Centre for Physical Activity and Health (BHFNC).

Public Health Agency Business plan 2012-2013

This Business Plan sets out the key priorities and actions that will be progressed by the Public Health Agency (PHA) in 2012/13. The PHA believes that these actions will have the biggest impact on improving levels of health and social wellbeing, protecting the health of the community, and ensuring patients continue to receive high quality and safe treatment and care services.

The business plan is available to download below.
Subscribe to