The Briefing

Infant nutrition is crucial for health, but New Zealand's decision to opt out of proposed joint Australia/NZ infant formula marketing standards undermines efforts to protect infant wellbeing and support breastfeeding.

Both the health and economic burden from Long Covid in NZ are likely to be large. But we can take action now to reduce the impact.

Preventing dementia—particularly among Māori and Pacific communities—requires a population-level, whole-of-government approach to tackle key risk factors linked to social disadvantage and poverty.

There has been no significant decrease in all-cause perinatal mortality over the years of 2006-2021 according to the Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee’s 16th Annual Report. This Briefing explores the key findings of the report.

The government’s second greenhouse gas ‘Emissions Reduction Plan” lacks the ambition and direction that is needed to reach its target and there will be consequences for our population’s health.

Alcohol on demand is growing in Aotearoa and with it, the potential for further alcohol-related harm and inequities. Currently, on-demand services are operating in a regulatory grey zone.

The sale of oral nicotine and tobacco products in NZ has been approved in principle. But it is unclear whether these products help people quit smoking and there is potential for them to have unintended adverse impacts.

The recent repeal of smokefree legislation occurred despite evidence of strong support for the key measures among the public. To provide political context for NZ smokefree policies, this Briefing examines the Parliamentary voting record on 10 relevant laws since 2003.

International evidence shows that even during the Omicron era, Covid-19 vaccines continue to provide protection against infection, hospitalisation, death, and Long Covid, as well as improving outcomes during pregnancy

Any rollback of our insulation standards will cost industry, energy savings and our health. Evidence shows the health and social benefits of insulation are nearly six times greater than the costs.