610 Results

  • Potential health co-benefits from eradicating rats, stoats and possums in NZ towns and cities

    … The eradication of some introduced pests such as rats, stoats and possums in New Zealand, seems … will be to native birds and enhanced biodiversity, as well as for agriculture (if bovine tuberculosis is … conducted literature searches, and considered a key text (5). Our estimates of the likely types of health benefits are …
    Briefing

  • Where do the parties stand? Protecting water sources and drinking water quality

    … supplies for some communities. Additionally, in 2016, as a result of contaminated drinking water, the people of … developing long-term health conditions, and four dying. 5 The outbreak occurred when a poorly-maintained municipal … parties asked: “Will your party implement regulations such as ‘sinking lid’ caps on the use of nitrogen fertiliser and …
    Briefing

  • The Pros and Cons of a Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Goal: The Case is Overwhelmingly Pro for NZ

    … considered.   Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 has been described as “a world-leading, bold ‘endgame’ goal” [1]. The goal arose … and in 2011, the Government of the day adopted it as a national target to achieve minimal smoking prevalence … the current NZ population over their remaining lifetimes [5], with additional substantial gains for future populations. …
    Briefing

  • “Nudging” to improve QR scanning and mask wearing to protect us all during a pandemic

    … while wearing masks in indoor public settings, such as on public transport, reduces the risk of virus … could use individually-targeted approaches, such as advertising that encourages people to protect themselves … argued, “nudging” is not a replacement for regulation. 5,6 Our suggestions would thus sit alongside measures …
    Briefing

  • Hearing loss & social isolation – the silent burden

    … of social isolation. Figure 1. This picture was chosen as it illustrates two elderly people in each other’s company. … connection to each other and the world in which we live . As humans, a fundamental part of our being is rooted in … for special equipment (30%) compared to non-Māori (17%) (5). The disparity in unmet needs for Māori is particularly …
    Briefing

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

    … about measles risk. For residents even more than visitors, as those returning home are more likely to import the virus. … we observed in 1996—about 130,000 susceptible children. As of 2024, we estimate at least 156,000 susceptible children … we obtained MMR coverage data by 3 age groups (1-4; 5-12; and 13-17 years), and from this calculated the % …
    Briefing

  • Taxes on fizzy drinks in NZ: preventing premature deaths and raising funds for health

    … that is maximally beneficial for society – all, or as many as possible, members of society.  Similar arguments apply in … alter that future.  Community-based health promotion, such as the Healthy Victorian Communities programme that Minister …
    Briefing

  • Sustained Resilience: the impact of nuclear war on New Zealand and how to mitigate catastrophe

    … what happens if prevention fails. NZ is often cited as somewhere most likely to preserve a thriving society … calamities that might ensue if the sun were obscured, as following nuclear war. We detailed these potential climate … role plays with citizens. In 35 years, nothing remotely as sophisticated has been done to update the findings for the …
    Briefing

  • Vaccination is often cost-effective but not (currently) HPV vaccination for boys in NZ

    … in NZ . Indeed, this is probably good value for money – as per a previous study we have done and blogged on . But … warts, and various other HPV-related cancers – such as oropharyngeal cancer). HPV vaccination of boys in NZ is … of NZ), vaccination of boys (at equivalent coverage as currently achieved for girls) would not be cost-effective …
    Briefing

  • Covid-19 was no black swan, but a paradigmatic black elephant

    … events are exactly the ones humans tend to overlook. As if to drive this point home, I noted in the news today … Covid-19 surprise International organisations such as the UN, WHO, World Bank, and organisations such as the US National Academy of Sciences had made explicit …
    Briefing

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Public Health Expert Briefing (ISSN 2816-1203)