55 Results

  • The Government’s transport plans work against our health

    … draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport 2024-34 neither supports the health and wellbeing of the … inactivity. The policies outlined in the draft GPS 2024 are, as a package, likely to worsen the already high … and forced migration. 31 The implications of the draft GPS 2024 for health and health equity  The draft GPS 2024 takes …
    Briefing

  • Covid-19 vaccines still protect us: How do we get the best out of them?

    … in NZ, weekly total, from January 2021 to July 2024.    Covid vaccines continue to protect against … KP.3 is replacing JN.1, which was dominant from January 2024 (Figure 2).  Figure 2. Covid-19 variants and subvariants … from wastewater specimens by week, July 2023 to July 2024   Source: ESR Wastewater testing dashboard . The current …
    Briefing

  • Mind the gap: Associate Health Minister’s actions conflict with Ministry advice, align with tobacco industry lobbying

    … Health Minister. Attached to Cabinet minute dated 18 March 2024. 2. Good progress is being made towards the Smokefree … Health Minister. Attached to Cabinet minute dated 18 March 2024. 2. Good progress is being made towards the Smokefree … interview with Associate Health Minister Costello (28 Feb 2024 ) " We're now dealing with addicted nicotine smokers, …
    Briefing

  • Public health and Budget 2024

    … Summary Budget 2024 emphasises tax cuts, funded by spending reductions and … as the budget constraints complicate their efforts. Budget 2024 was very much about tax cuts (as promised in the 2023 … rather it is woven through the broader whole.  Budget 2024: less revenue, less spending The centre-piece of Budget …
    Briefing

  • Fast-track Bill puts NZ on wrong track, threatening public health

    … are open through Parliament’s website until 19 April 2024.   Faster, but in what direction? The Coalition … Select Committee and submissions are open until 19 April 2024. Submissions can be made on the bill here .     Author … Bill made in Parliament or reported by media from 7 March 2024 (the day the Bill was presented to Parliament) to 19 …
    Briefing

  • Parliamentary voting for smokefree over two decades: Implications for future progress

    … Bill) and now is part of the Coalition Government that in 2024 repealed the 2022 smokefree legislation. The NZ First … by political parties in the last two decades (2003 to mid-2024). Findings on voting patterns Out of 10 pieces of relevant legislation passed between 2003 and 2024, four focused on smokefree policies, three on tobacco …
    Briefing

  • Dropping the ball on measles? Aotearoa must close an ‘immunity gap’ to avoid a measles epidemic

    … we estimate the number of susceptible children in 2024 which shows how close we are to a nation-wide epidemic … observed in 1996—about 130,000 susceptible children. As of 2024, we estimate at least 156,000 susceptible children aged … at school with good coverage. Number of susceptibles in 2024 It is important to remain aware that immunity gaps are …
    Briefing

  • Increasing whooping cough cases put pēpi at risk. What can be done about it?

    … in the number of notified cases in NZ with 83 in June 2024, more than triple the number in April 2024 (n=22). 6 This resurgence mirrors trends in other … who gave birth between December 2023 and February 2024 had received their pertussis immunisations, with large …
    Briefing

  • Oral tobacco and nicotine products: Quitting aid or teen addiction risk?

    … products, including NZ-specific promotion since early 2024. Deregulation of these products has uncertain benefits … including ZYN promotions. In addition, since January 2024, Zyn has targeted NZ youth directly via ZYN NZ social … been sold online from this website since at least early 2024.  Figure 4: TikTok content targeting New Zealand youth   …
    Briefing

  • The science is certain: masks work. Policy and practice must support their use

    … can have substantial protective effects during winter 2024 and beyond; Providing the public with clear guidelines … respiratory infection prevention and control during winter 2024 and beyond. This policy should be integrated into a … and pandemic infections. An important next step for winter 2024 is to identify situations and settings where mask …
    Briefing

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Public Health Expert Briefing (ISSN 2816-1203)