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Pandemic terminology: getting it right matters for effective risk communication and management
… for managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, it appears to have been a major strength to date by NZ political leaders … on a set of key terms where consistent, accurate use is important: Alert Levels : NZ has a 4-level Alert Level system … distancing and movement restrictions used by countries to reduce COVID-19 transmission (see “Alert Levels”). The term …
Briefing
The alarms are flashing red: Five reasons to upgrade our Alert Level system before the next Covid-positive traveller visits a major city
… New Zealand (NZ’s) Alert Level system worked well in 2020, but the Covid-19 landscape is changing and the system needs to change with it to keep NZ ahead of the pandemic. In this … us from outbreaks, avoid lockdowns, help us transition to a post-vaccination future, support prevention of other …
Briefing
New report shows how regional plans could transform freshwater quality
… quality identified by a new report on the failure to protect high-country lakes from degradation. The new … to land use, farming systems and practices that would reduce nutrient loss over time. The report identified that … as it is in the original). We also describe additional important points for those who have special interest in the …
Briefing
The case for a NZ-Australia Pandemic Cooperation Agreement
… (accidental or deliberate). Global treaties are crucial to pandemic preparedness and response, and a regional … preparedness and response. Once established, it would be important to investigate an extension of this agreement to … NZ in sharing capacity building with Australia that would reduce the economic cost of both pandemic preparedness and …
Briefing
Being forced to leave your rental home can harm health
… and grief, and precipitating a move into homeless or to a risky housing situation. We argue that reducing the incidence and impact of evictions is an important public health and social welfare issue . Housing … to their home: ‘I don’t know if you have ever done it, but you walk into a place and you just know…it’s homely’ …
Briefing
Lessons from jurisdictions that are battling their own Delta variant outbreaks
… outbreak in the community brings a new challenge to Aotearoa New Zealand’s COVID-19 response. A Delta outbreak … such as influenza (R o =1-3) or Ebola (R o =2), [4] but is not as high as chicken-pox ( R o =10-12 ) or measles … lockdown the following day. Queensland has managed to reduce the number of reported COVID-19 cases in the state to …
Briefing
Covid recovery or sustainable transformation?
… Here we consider how we can shape policies and programmes to ensure that the recovery from the Covid lockdown provides … between a pandemic and a climate change crisis are important. The similarities include that both problems arise … spending and investment – may be at odds with policies to reduce emissions. Some short-term ‘positive’ responses, such …
Briefing
How much of Māori:European mortality inequalities are due to socioeconomic position and tobacco?
… Policy-makers need to know how much of ethnic inequalities in health are due to … improve mortality for all sociodemographic groups, but reduce absolute inequalities in mortality between Māori and … much are these inequalities due to tobacco smoking?” are important questions for policy-makers. The problem is these …
Briefing
Health-related food taxes and subsidies: A critique of opposition arguments
… opposition and a range of counter-arguments relating to potential harms, lack of efficacy, and incursion on … part of any comprehensive programme to improve diet and reduce obesity, but is far from sufficient on its own. … fat/polyunsaturated fat issue ). “The food industry is an important part of the solution and can address health …
Briefing
A single shot to prevent cancer? HPV vaccine can!
… safety profile and evidence that it prevents cancer. Added to the NZ immunisation schedule in 2008, coverage has yet to … give an extra injection of minimal, if any, value to our youth. This non-evidence-based obstacle needs to be removed. … usually cause symptoms and most people clear the virus. But in some people the virus remains, and can cause warts and …
Briefing

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