The Briefing | PHCC

Counting what matters: Rethinking Aotearoa's population statistics without a census

Statistics NZ has signalled a move away from five-yearly population censuses to the use of administrative data instead. This Briefing cautions any changes to the census must be carefully planned and reviewed so they don't undermine or limit our crucial statistical infrastructure.
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Issue date

02 May 2024

Author(s)

Len Cook Lisette Burrows Barry Milne Kate Prickett Philippa Howden-Chapman Nevil Pierse Tahu Kukutai Alistair Gray Polly Atatoa-Carr Peter Crampton

Protecting hapu māmā and newborn babies through immunisation during pregnancy in Aotearoa New Zealand

Less than half of expectant mothers in Aotearoa receive influenza or whooping cough immunisations.
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Issue date

09 April 2024

Author(s)

Amber Young Matthew Hobbs Esther Willing Gabrielle McDonald Pauline Dawson Lukas Marek Louise Fangupo Peter McIntyre
Tackling child poverty: will the nation’s political leaders honour Richie Poulton’s legacy?

The work of the late Prof Richie Poulton highlights the long-term impact of childhood poverty on life outcomes—and provides an impetus for change. Will our political leaders rise to the challenge?
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Issue date

09 October 2023

Author(s)

Jonathan Boston John Kerr Michael Baker Russell Wills
Image by Amanda Kvalsvig, University of Otago

High levels of CO2 found in small study of early childhood centres: Improving ventilation in the time of COVID-19

In a small study, high levels of carbon dioxide were found in four out six early childhood education centres (ECEs) measured. This suggests that CO2 monitors presently supplied to Aotearoa NZ schools should also be made available to ECEs.
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Issue date

11 April 2023

Author(s)

Jaimee Paterson Grace George Sam George Jonathan Jarman
Proposals to reduce youth vaping: Important steps but a more comprehensive approach needed

New proposals will help protect young people from aggressive vape marketing, but do they go far enough?
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Issue date

10 January 2023

Author(s)

Janet Hoek Jude Ball Richard Edwards Anna Graham-DeMello
Period Drama: How to Address Period Poverty in Aotearoa

Period poverty impacts Kiwis everyday and is often an unseen problem. Period products are now available for free in schools in Aotearoa, but what more can be done?
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Issue date

25 October 2022

Author(s)

Claire Marsh
Image by Luke Pilkinton-Ching, University of Otago

Public Health Solutions Series: Good health in childhood is vital for lifelong wellbeing: time for a preventive approach

This blog looks at solutions to improve child health: a child impact lens on policy, lifting income support, action on childhood immunisation.
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Issue date

22 August 2022

Author(s)

Amanda D’Souza Nikki Turner
Photo by Darrin Moore on Unsplash

Being forced to leave your rental home can harm health

Eviction, or a forced move from rental housing, is a common experience for New Zealand renters, yet we know very little about its effects.
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Issue date

13 June 2022

Author(s)

Elinor Chisholm Sarah Bierre Cheryl Davies Philippa Howden-Chapman
Image by Pedro Wroclaw from Pixabay.jpg

The urgent need for a Covid-19 Action Plan for Schools in Aotearoa New Zealand

NZ’s pandemic policy for schools needs to pivot to a whānau-centred approach that takes in-school transmission seriously. As winter arrives, NZ should urgently introduce a Covid-19 Action Plan for Schools.
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Issue date

19 May 2022

Author(s)

Amanda Kvalsvig Michael Baker Jennifer Summers Lucy Telfar Barnard Andrew Dickson Julie Bennett Carmen Timu-Parata Nick Wilson
Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels

Government funding of interpreters in Primary Care is needed to ensure quality care

The pandemic has highlighted many problems in the NZ health system. This blog will address the question of availability of interpreters for people with limited English proficiency (LEP).
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Issue date

17 May 2022

Author(s)

Ben Gray
Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

Longer-term harm from Covid-19 in children: The evidence suggests greater efforts are needed to protect children in Aotearoa NZ from infection

New findings highlight the need for a precautionary approach in Aotearoa New Zealand with greater efforts to prevent children from being infected during the current Omicron outbreak.
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Issue date

08 March 2022

Author(s)

Amanda Kvalsvig Anna Brooks Nick Wilson Julie Bennett Jennifer Summers Carmen Timu-Parata Cervantée Wild Belinda Tuari-Toma Constanza Jackson Michael Baker