675 Results

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

    … Summary A new comprehensive evidence review has concluded that masks have a valuable role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. We highlight key findings and … should provide the public and community leaders (eg, Māori and Pacific providers) with clear guidelines about …
    Briefing

  • Vaping needs much tighter regulation as we approach Smokefree Aotearoa 2025: Two new studies

    … may have on public health. The first estimates that use of modern vaping devices could be around a third as harmful to health as smoking. The second uses … and vaping [11], using an existing proportional multi-state life-table model of 16 tobacco-related diseases. This …
    Briefing

  • The growing burden of dementia in Aotearoa: Scope for prevention

    … As Aotearoa New Zealand's population ages, the number of people living with dementia is expected to double in the next 20 years – a major health and economic issue. Since age is the biggest … due to the higher rates of risk factors compared to those used by the Lancet Commission. 5     Figure 2: Dementia …
    Briefing

  • Promoting physical activity through the prescription of smartphone apps in primary care: Likely to produce health gains and cost-savings

    … Over 40% of NZ adults are insufficiently physically active. In this … cost-savings. Introduction Inadequate physical activity is a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD), diabetes, … activity interventions through technological features (eg, accelerometers) [9]. Apps have also been shown to be …
    Briefing

  • Preventing falls can be very cost-effective in NZ – New study

    … We have just published a modelling study on exercise programmes in NZ to prevent … Yet there are interventions that can reduce the risk of falls. In this blog we examine some programme options. … other considerations that policy-makers should consider (eg, upfront costs, if other interventions are more pro-equity …
    Briefing

  • Cyclone Gabrielle by the numbers – A review at six months

    … significant damage across northern and eastern regions of the North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) in February … after six months. Our impression remains that NZ has a low level of resilience to this type of hazard event. While … / dislocation 55 2.8% Dental injury 22 1.1% Foreign body eg, in eye 22 1.1% Concussion 8 0.4% Pain syndromes 5 0.3% …
    Briefing

  • The COVID-19 house fire and the unbearable silence of fire alarms

    … Dr Matt Boyd (syndicated from the blog site of “ Adapt Research ” ) WHO? The Emergency Committee The … of the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in … then use their influence to directly contact heads of state, finance ministers, and health ministers to coordinate …
    Briefing

  • Human health impacts of plastic exposure – an evolving evidence base

    … at the local, national, and global levels to achieve a comprehensive response to the environmental and health … from plastics. Introduction In 2019, the authors were part of an expert panel advising PM Ardern on how to address the … autism. 12   Plastic particles Plastic particles may be used in manufactured products or be released from plastic …
    Briefing

  • We need to talk about breast cancer screening (part 1)

    … Professor Diana Sarfati consider the pros and cons of breast cancer screening, in light of the growing … should we be screening for breast cancer at all? This is a big deal, given that most developed countries have invested … noted that there was a serious risk of bias in the RCTs used to base their conclusions about screening, meaning the …
    Briefing

  • Nourishing futures: How micronutrients improve pregnancy outcomes, reduce healthcare costs

    … Summary Antenatal depression affects about 20% of pregnant women/wāhine globally, increasing pregnancy … professional groups. This Briefing discusses outcomes from a new observational study of birth outcomes in mothers who … early health and development, with lasting physical and mental health impacts into adulthood. 6 7 Psychotherapy is a …
    Briefing

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Public Health Expert Briefing (ISSN 2816-1203)