604 Results

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

    … particles i where possible. While individual actions are helpful, we need systematic change at the local, … presents an international opportunity for action. 47,48   What this briefing adds There is strengthening evidence of … specific hazards caused by open burning of plastics, more common overseas, are out of scope of this short briefing.  …
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  • Expansion of “green zones” may provide a chance for the global eradication of COVID-19

    … With effective vaccines for COVID-19 comes the potential for … from animal reservoirs. The costs of COVID-19 eradication are likely to be affordable. For example, one estimate for … domestic and wild animal infections with SARS-CoV-2 are rare to date [12]. Also, COVID-19 vaccines for domestic …
    Briefing

  • Dietary counselling – how effective and cost-effective is it?

    … that dietary counselling is effective though the benefits are typically modest and short-term. The literature on … effective and cost-effective intervention [1]) – but what about dietary counselling? What does the most recent … was no consistent benefit of the intervention compared with control conditions.” These findings are not encouraging, …
    Briefing

  • Urgent measures needed to allow the safe re-opening of Auckland schools

    … In this blog we describe the range of urgent measures that are needed to facilitate a safe return to schools in Auckland … learning in schools, particularly in areas of Auckland with low vaccination uptake, and current community cases, may … and those living in economically deprived circumstances are at greater risk of severe COVID-19. Whilst young children …
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  • Why do so many fear the bicycle?

    … in good working condition, and most trips in the city are relatively short, but only 1-2% of those trips are made … actually is, and how it compares with injury risk of other common activities in New Zealand. What should these comparisons be based on? Risk per hour, per …
    Briefing

  • Key findings on smoking and e-cigarette use prevalence and trends in the 2020/21 NZ Health Survey

    … 2020 and August 2021. Full details of the methods are available on the Ministry of Health website. The findings … are not due to chance or greatly affected by bias, what could explain the observed decline in smoking … occurred in the younger age groups where EC use is most common and showed the largest increase in prevalence. …
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  • Urgent action needed to prevent a measles epidemic in Aotearoa New Zealand

    … will enter NZ. To prevent a measles epidemic urgent steps are needed to catch up those who have missed out on … completed, along with other measures ( s ee Appendix ) . What this Briefing adds Measles (MMR) vaccine coverage is too … in schools can help to reduce transmission of a number of common viruses, including measles. 25 26 Similarly, high …
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  • The Government’s transport plans work against our health

    … inactivity. The policies outlined in the draft GPS 2024 are, as a package, likely to worsen the already high levels … population.  In summary, the proposed policies will erode what current health benefits there are from transport, fail … activity as a specific example, physical activity is associated with reductions in cognitive decline (40% …
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  • Consumer Care Guidelines for electricity retailers must be mandatory

    … Programme at the University of Otago Wellington, we are urging the Electricity Authority to make the Consumer … dependent on electric devices to keep them alive. 2 More common physical and mental health effects arise when homes … whether electricity is an essential service, or what level of energy services is necessary at home, is to …
    Briefing

  • A fat week – debates about saturated fat that will not go away

    … debunking the science on the association of saturated fat with cardiovascular disease. One of the criticisms leveled on … looks weaker.  Fair enough, as such ‘ecologic’ studies are prone to error – but of course they are also prone to … co-occurrence of other risk factors, most notably smoking; what the ‘business as usual’ diseases are dominating in the …
    Briefing

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Public Health Expert Briefing (ISSN 2816-1203)