PublicHealthMatters

We know that health threats can have a disproportionate impact on different groups. This inequality can be due to differences in living and working conditions, access to and uptake of vaccination, testing and treatment, and underlying illnesses. Each of these risk factors can increase the chance of contracting an infection or being impacted by an … Read more

During both the summer and winter seasons, UKHSA and the Met Office monitor weather forecasts to help health and social care professionals, responders, the voluntary sector and the public cope with adverse weather. Where episodes of particularly hot or cold weather are identified, they carry out a joint dynamic risk assessment and issue alerts if … Read more

Flu and COVID-19 can be unpleasant for most people, but if you’re pregnant, it’s particularly important to get vaccinated to protect both you and your baby. We recommend that all pregnant women get flu and COVID-19 vaccines in the coming weeks as part of the winter vaccination campaign, no matter what stage of pregnancy they’re … Read more

Flu season is just around the corner, and now is the time to get protected. If you are a parent of eligible pre-schoolers, make sure that you book your child in with their GP practice for the nasal spray that protects against flu. Flu can be an unpleasant illness in children, causing fever, extreme tiredness, … Read more

Despite the recent hot and sunny weather, winter is coming, and with it comes an increased risk of catching flu.  Flu can leave many of us feeling dreadful and laid up in bed for days, but for certain groups, the effects can be more severe or even life-threatening. Who is most at risk? People in … Read more

As we brace ourselves for chillier days, more indoor gatherings and seasonal social events with friends and family, now is the ideal time to revisit the current guidance on face coverings, isolation, vaccination and other behaviours that can reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections known to peak during the autumn and winter … Read more

We’ve been receiving a lot of questions about the BA.2.86 COVID variant, as people would like to know how it compares to other variants and what the implications might be for public health. It is important to note that to date only a small number of cases have been identified across the world, and we … Read more

“You don’t really hear much about syphilis these days, very much the MySpace of STDs [sexually transmitted diseases]” is a line from Tom Wambsgans, a character in HBO’s hit show ‘Succession’. Unfortunately, the latest data on syphilis shows otherwise. Infectious syphilis diagnoses increased to 8,692 in 2022, up 15.2% compared to 2021 (7,543) and 8.1% … Read more

Data is now the driving force of the world’s modern economies, fuelling innovation and progress. Data is equally essential to health security, underpinning our ability to prepare for, prevent and respond to health threats so we can save lives and protect livelihoods. Like many other government departments, health, and scientific organisations, UKHSA handles a lot … Read more

As the new school year begins, children, teenagers and their parents prepare for new schedules, homework, friends, and activities. But the autumn also brings common illnesses that can keep children and teenagers away from their classmates and studies. This blog post covers steps you can take now and throughout the coming term to help protect … Read more