With society reopening and opportunities for people to meet up and socialise being restored, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to avail of sexual health testing if they are sexually active or intending to become sexually active soon. Dr Gillian Armstrong, Interim Head of Health Protection at the PHA, said: “During the height of the pandemic many Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) clinics were initially closed to visitors and access to Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) screening became limited for some. The reduction of STI testing and diagnosis noted in 2020 may mean an increase in

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

On World AIDS Day (1 December) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone to practise safer sex and get tested early if they have put themselves at risk. A new report from the PHA shows that there are 1,234 people in Northern Ireland living with HIV. The ‘HIV surveillance in Northern Ireland 2021’ data also shows that 60 new cases of HIV were diagnosed here in 2020. The report provides analysis of the HIV data for Northern Ireland in 2020 and trends over the years. Dr Gillian Armstrong , Interim Head of Health Protection in Public Health at the PHA, said: “The report shows a five