The Public Health Agency (PHA) is supporting the Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel by encouraging school pupils to get active on their school commute. Schools across the UK are getting ready to take part in the Big Walk and Wheel challenge, which helps support the work of the Active School Travel (AST) programme, funded by Public Health Agency (PHA) and Department for Infrastructure (DFI) to help more children get active on their journeys to and from school. Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel takes place from 11–22 March 2024 and there is still time for more schools to sign up. It aims to inspire pupils to

Ahead of International HPV Awareness Day [Monday 4 March], the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the importance of both vaccination and cervical screening to help drive down rates of HPV-related cancers. The HPV vaccine helps to prevent HPV-related cancers from developing in young people. It is a one dose programme which is offered to pupils in year 9 and given as an injection in the upper arm, the same way as many other vaccines. In Northern Ireland, cervical screening is available to women and other people with a cervix aged 25–64. This is the age group where screening is of most

This Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month [March], the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people to be aware of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. From 2016 – 2020, there were around 200 cases of ovarian cancer diagnosed in Northern Ireland each year. The PHA is urging women to speak to their GP as soon as possible if they notice any of the common symptoms. Dr Louise Herron, Consultant in Service Development and Screening at the PHA said: “Ovarian cancer is more common in women who have been through the menopause, usually in those over the age of 50, but it can also affect younger women

With the first lambs appearing in the fields, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding pregnant women about the risk of close contact with sheep during lambing season. The PHA is advising women who are, or think they may be, pregnant to reduce their risk of miscarriage and infection by avoiding close contact with sheep during lambing season, which runs until around the end of April. Dr Claire Neill, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA, said: “Pregnant women who come into close contact with sheep during lambing may be risking their own health and that of their unborn child from infections

The Public Health Dietitians Group (PHDG) has launched a new video series on its YouTube channel ‘Public Health Dietitians’ with expert advice on how to eat well during pregnancy. The series aims to give guidance to expecting mums and those planning a pregnancy, on how to make healthier food choices, foods to avoid, vitamin supplements to consider and managing pregnancy symptoms. There is also guidance on how to eat well after having a baby and tips for breastfeeding. The Public Health Dietitians channel is a partnership between the PHDG Northern Ireland and the Public Health Agency (PHA) and

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is emphasising the importance of getting the MMR vaccine as it confirmed that one case of measles has been diagnosed in Northern Ireland. Close contacts have been notified and all appropriate public health actions are being undertaken. The PHA is urging children and young adults who have not received both doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to do so as soon as possible, to reduce their risk of catching and spreading measles. The agency has recently activated a mass vaccination drive in collaboration with health trusts and GP surgeries for all