667 Results

  • Modelling tobacco tax – implications of BODE3 paper just out, and personal reflections on the research journey

    … that estimates the health gains, health inequality and health system cost impacts of ongoing annual 10% … In this blog I outline the key findings of this paper, and why I think this paper is important. I also reflect on my … The tax intervention works by decreasing the incidence or inflow into these tobacco-related disease lifetables. It …
    Briefing

  • Antiviral stockpiles for pandemic preparedness: Time for a careful rethink?

    … approach. This blog discusses some of the new evidence and suggests options for a review process.New Zealand seems … more than one million doses of oseltamivir ( Tamiflu ) and 300,000 of zanamivir ( Relenza ), costing $32 million. … hygiene and promoting staying at home when sick)? Or how might it compare with enhancing hospital surge …
    Briefing

  • Can earthquakes be good for public health?

    … historically had a terrible impact on human populations – and the shocking damage to Christchurch and its citizens in … preparedness, and increased use of stairs over lifts. 1) Post-earthquake rebuilds can allow for improved urban … to consistently try to use stairs, especially for just one or two stories. This would also help address the country’s …
    Briefing

  • Home modification to reduce falls – appears cost-effective in NZ

    … We have just published a modelling study on a home safety and modification programme to prevent falls in older people. … per work led by the Health Quality & Safety Commission [ 1 ] (see also this HQSC online guidance to health workers on … we have modelled). Targeting HSAM only to people age 65+ or 75+ with previous injurious falls was estimated to be even …
    Briefing

  • Ready or not? Pandemic preparedness index and implications for NZ

    … not show the expected correlation between GHS Index scores and Covid-19 outcomes. Just published research now … in the future. The ri sks include pandemic influenza or a new infectious disease, as well as deliberate biological … experienced the greatest levels of Covid-19 burden. 1 For example, one study suggested that the higher the GHS …
    Briefing

  • Front-of-pack nutrition labels improve understanding but don’t improve healthy food choices; Starlight Trial just published

    … Health Star Rating and Traffic Light nutrition labels have a minor impact on New … labels: Traffic Light labels, Health Star Rating labels, or Nutrition Information Panels. Participants used their … to ‘see’ the allocated nutrition labels. Figure 1: The three labels study participants were randomised to: …
    Briefing

  • Can pandemic threats justify border closure for island nations like NZ?

    … of pandemic influenza, novel emerging infectious agents and possible synthetic bioweapons. In a study we just … socio-economic, environmental and ecological factors (1). There are also added threats from deliberate human modification of existing or potential pathogens (2). A common view is that country …
    Briefing

  • Despite improved WHO regulations, the world remains ill-prepared for the next pandemic

    … detection of “pandemic emergencies”, greater preparedness, and additional competencies such as risk communication and managing misinformation and disinformation. What is … like Covid-19 – the worst in a century – is increasing . 1 The World Health Organization ( WHO ) took an important …
    Briefing

  • The COVID-19 pandemic in Aotearoa/NZ: A brief photo-essay with 10 photos

    … is accompanied by a brief comment on the pandemic impact or response. In some instances these images reflect success … as the relatively early introduction of border controls and the stringent nature of the “lockdown”. But we also … the recent run of eight border control failures. Figure 1: Decisive science-informed government action. The …
    Briefing

  • Government struggling with evidence: HTPs, addiction levels, and Smokefree 2025

    … a measure supported by Health Minister Dr Shane Reti, and predicted to bring rapid declines in smoking. Earlier … would have substantially reduced tobacco’s addictiveness and availability. Associate Health Minister Casey Costello … which drew on arguments from a mystery document 1 and “ independent advice ” that did not in fact support the …
    Briefing

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Public Health Expert Briefing (ISSN 2816-1203)