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Image of a woman coughing with added text 'Lung cancer awareness month'

Lung cancer awareness month: be aware of the signs and symptoms

This Lung Cancer Awareness Month (November) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people to be aware of the signs and symptoms of lung cancer.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in Northern Ireland with over 1,300 people diagnosed in 2021.

Dr Louise Herron, Consultant in Service Development and Screening at the PHA, said: “Lung cancer is more common in people over 50, but no matter what age you are, it is so important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of lung cancer as spotting it early could make a huge difference.”

Photo of Health Minister MIke Nesbit with Heather Reid PHA, Melissa Crockett NBCP Project Manager NI, Caroline Keown, Chief Midwifery Office DoH

Improving bereavement care for people in Northern Ireland affected by pregnancy or baby loss

Sands, the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity, is introducing a National Bereavement Care Pathway (NBCP) across Northern Ireland, to help improve care for people who have experienced pregnancy or baby loss. The introduction of NBCP in Northern Ireland has been made possible by funding from the Public Health Agency (PHA) and aims to reduce inequalities and improve the quality of bereavement care provided to parents and families.

Take part in local Age-Friendly activities during Positive Ageing Month

This Positive Ageing Month (October) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone to recognise and celebrate the valuable role older people play in our society.

To help address issues of health inequalities, encourage positive ageing and promote inter-generational connections, Age-Friendly Coordinators are funded by the PHA in all 11 Northern Ireland council areas.

Don’t let your protection fade this winter

Winter is coming and so are the respiratory illnesses that circulate during this time of the year so the message from the Public Health Agency (PHA) is don’t let your protection fade and get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines if eligible.

The life-saving vaccination programme, which will help protect the community against deadly viruses ahead of winter, commences on Monday 7 October. It will see flu and COVID-19 vaccines offered to over a million people in Northern Ireland before the end of the year, starting with those in care homes, who are some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

Living Well ‘Looking after your sexual health’ campaign launched

A new Living Well campaign – ‘Looking after your sexual health’ – has been launched in community pharmacies across Northern Ireland, helping to raise awareness of the importance of practising good sexual health.

Living Well is offered in over 500 pharmacies across Northern Ireland and provides information and advice on public health issues. It is delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA), Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI), and the Department of Health (DoH).

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What we do

The Public Health Agency (PHA) established in April 2009 as part of the reforms to Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland is responsible for providing health protection and health and social wellbeing improvement to every member of every community in Northern Ireland.

We are committed to safeguarding public health, promoting public health and social welfare, and reducing inequalities in health and social wellbeing. Read more about what we do.

The PHA operates under a framework of three functional areas Public Health, Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals, and Operations.