This Sexual Health Week (7-11 February) the Public Health Agency (PHA), along with the Sexual Health Improvement Network (SHIN), is urging everyone to talk openly about relationships and sex with their partners, friends and children to normalise how we view these issues. The theme for this year’s Sexual Health Week is ‘Let’s Talk SEX’ because looking after your sexual health can have a positive impact on both your mental and physical wellbeing. Barbara Porter, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager at the PHA, said: “ Sexual relationships should always be consensual, and enjoying that

Today, on World Cancer Day (4 February), the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the signs and symptoms of cancer and encouraging people to seek medical advice from their GP if they are concerned. “During the COVID-19 pandemic people may have concerns about a change in their body, but might be hesitant in contacting their doctor,” said Dr Louise Herron, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA. “The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chances of survival, as treatments are more likely to be successful. It is important not to delay if you develop a sign or symptom which has the

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging parents of eligible 5 to 11 year olds to get their child vaccinated without delay. The call comes following the JCVI recommendation that children aged 5 to 11 years in a clinical risk group, or children who are a household contact of someone who is immunosuppressed, should be offered the COVID-19 vaccine. Most children who get COVID-19 have very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. But the children being offered this vaccine have certain health conditions, putting them at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and more likely to have to go to

Although it’s not unusual to have cases of the winter vomiting bug also known as norovirus at this time of the year, the Public Health Agency (PHA) would like to remind the public of the simple, practical steps to minimise the risk of illness to others, especially older people and those with underlying conditions who may be more vulnerable. Dr Gillian Armstrong, Interim Head of Health Protection at the PHA, said: “The winter vomiting virus is a frequent hazard to health that causes unpleasant and brief illness for many people. The most commonly reported symptoms are nausea, vomiting and

Lifeline, Northern Ireland’s free-phone crisis counselling helpline, received over 44,000 calls in 2021, with approximately 3,670 calls per month - an average of one call to Lifeline every 12 minutes last year. Lifeline is the regional crisis intervention service that supports people experiencing distress or despair and is available for people of all ages, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, where all the calls are answered by qualified crisis counsellors. Over the past year, the top three issues that people called the Lifeline service for support for included experiencing thoughts of suicide

This winter, the Public Health Agency (PHA), in partnership with councils across Northern Ireland is encouraging everyone to take measures to reduce the risk of falls at home. Falls can be very serious, resulting in pain, injury and sometimes death. Therefore it is really important to identify factors that can increase the risk of falls and take action to reduce the risk of them happening. Hilary Johnston, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager with the PHA, said: “Falls can have huge consequences including pain, injury, distress, loss of confidence and loss of independence. “Many

Ahead of the introduction of new smoking regulations in Northern Ireland, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging smokers to use the upcoming change of rules as motivation to quit smoking. From 1 February, regulations will extend current smoke-free provisions to private vehicles where children and young people aged under 18 are present, when there is more than one person in the vehicle, and the vehicle is enclosed. It will be an offence to smoke in such a vehicle and will also be an offence for a driver to fail to prevent smoking in a smoke-free private vehicle. In addition, from the same

During Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (17-23 January), the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the importance of women attending for cervical screening when invited. Statistics show that between 2015 and 2020 in Northern Ireland, there was an average of 83 women diagnosed with cervical cancer each year and around 20 deaths per year. “It is really important for women to accept their invitation for the screening test – it could save your life,” Dr Tracy Owen, Interim Assistant Director of Public Health - Screening and Professional Standards at the PHA, said. “Cervical screening aims to