Search | PHCC

More wastewater testing could guide optimal Covid-19 control on the path back to elimination
… testing is much more effective in determining if a population is very likely to be Covid-19 free, when … Scientist at ESR, Dr Brett Cowan, wastewater testing in NZ can typically detect 5-6 people infected with SARS-CoV-2 in a … ranging from 29,000 to 290,000. 3 As such, wastewater can allow “for early detection of infections at three …
Briefing
What does art have to do with public health, and how can they work together?
… this eclectic gathering? Contemporary public health faces a number of challenges. First, an array of emerging health … of lived experience. We think that some artists’ practices can help to anchor this birds-eye view and create … by Judit Hersko involving calcification processes, to show in a gallery context, how ocean acidification from …
Briefing
A public health perspective on taxing harmful products
… The New Zealand Government has set up a Tax Working Group to consider reforms of the tax system. In … principle (we call it the “tax as a tool” principle) can also be relevant, such as when a government uses tax as … In addition to harms for the drinker, various NZ studies show how important harm to others from alcohol in this …
Briefing
Where do the parties stand? Taxes to protect health and reduce inequity
… Centre contacted each of the five major parties with a set of questions about their position on five areas … experts summarise and analyse the parties’ responses. You can read more about the survey in our introductory article … to parties' subsequently released policies. Tax policies can have major impacts on protecting public health, building …
Briefing
Current and future generations must flourish: Time for a long-term and global perspective on pandemic and other catastrophic risks
… Overview of our just published research paper calling for a well-resourced NZ Parliamentary Commissioner for … to work together for common goals. Institutional leverage can help humanity represent future generations and manage … summary of the report with a focus on long-term thinking can be read here . Long-term insights briefings Given the …
Briefing
Has the time come for a register of AI systems used by government agencies?
… Several recent reports in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) offer a roadmap for AI implementation, highlighting the citizens' … AI tools: for instance, systems like ChatGPT, which can engage in humanlike dialogues with a user, or systems like MidJourney, which can generate images. Products using generative AI are being …
Briefing
Dementia: Update on causes and prevention, including the role of COVID-19
… influenza and COVID-19). Introduction We live at a time when more of us are living into old age than at any … is an English translation available [ 3] . Dementia can manifest differently in different people but is generally … is a disorder of neurons rather than blood vessels) and do show differences in pathology. However, there is a degree of …
Briefing
Update on Long-COVID
… for individuals, whanau, communities, and nations. This is a “long-read” post – and so readers short on time are welcome … shortness of breath, memory loss, confusion, chest pain, and pain on deep breaths. Individuals with … data and emphasises just how persistent symptoms can be. Many of the other studies of individuals with …
Briefing
Shifting all isolation/quarantine facilities to a single air force base: The need for a critical analysis
… all COVID-19 related isolation/quarantine facilities to a single air force base at Ōhakea are considered. The main … a reduction in the risk of border control failures, which can potentially involve outbreaks in NZ’s largest cities with … mode of transmission was shared elevator space [3], this can be seen as a design failure associated with using …
Briefing
Tax reform pros & cons: A brief look from a Public Health perspective
… Dr Caroline Shaw, Dr Nhung Nghiem, Prof Tony Blakely, A/Prof Ralph Chapman Tax policies have major impacts on … be redistributive (i.e., with the wealthiest people who can afford it paying relatively more tax), and administrative … reducing the health benefits of the tax). Such uncertainty can sometimes be reduced by further searches for …
Briefing

Subscribe

Public Health Expert Briefing