The Briefing | PHCC

The Smokefree legislation is evidence-based, removing it is not

Plans to repeal world-leading smokefree legislation in Aotearoa run directly contrary to evidence and will ensure smoking continues to cost thousands of lives and millions of health care dollars.
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Issue date

30 November 2023

Author(s)

Janet Hoek Richard Edwards Jude Ball Nick Wilson John Kerr Anna Graham DeMello Ellen Ozarka Lucy Hardie Michael Baker Jude McCool Andrew Waa

The arrival of Candida auris in Aotearoa NZ: risk assessment and actions needed

The first case of a potentially lethal and difficult-to-contain fungal infection has been reported in New Zealand. We outline measures that can be taken to prevent transmission.
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Issue date

30 March 2023

Author(s)

Françios Olivier Sally Roberts Arthur Morris Kurt Krause Michael Baker
Bruce Jenkins | iStock

Cyclone Gabrielle joins list of Aotearoa NZ’s ‘sudden mass fatality events’

What can we learn from Cyclone Gabrielle to help us avoid future sudden mass fatality events?
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Issue date

28 March 2023

Author(s)

John Kerr George Thomson Nick Wilson
i-Stock

Likely rise in invasive strep infections in NZ requires a strategy

Severe, life-threatening invasive infections are increasing overseas. Here in New Zealand, we are flying blind as these bacterial infections are not tracked.
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Issue date

23 March 2023

Author(s)

Julie Bennett Nikki Moreland Johanna Birrell Rachel Webb Amanda Kvalsvig Sally Roberts Michael Baker
Yortw | Flickr

Public health priorities in this election year

Our Public Health Priorities Series looks at some of the big public health issues that decision-makers will need to act on this election year.
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Issue date

22 March 2023

Author(s)

Michael Baker John Kerr Adele Broadbent
Adaptation important but don’t give up on mitigation—what the new IPCC report means for Aotearoa

New Zealand must focus policy on both adaption to, and mitigation of climate change, and these policies need to be designed and implemented together.
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Issue date

21 March 2023

Author(s)

Alistair Woodward John Kerr Simon Hales
When the first barrier fails: Strengthening protection for drinking water sources

We must strengthen responsibility and accountability in Aotearoa’s drinking water supply system.
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Issue date

14 March 2023

Author(s)

Marnie Prickett Tim Chambers John Kerr Michael Baker Simon Hales
Tax policy reform: equity, fairness, and health

We need a far greater focus on taxing wealth if we are serious about tackling intergenerational inequalities and poverty.
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Issue date

07 March 2023

Author(s)

Louise Delany
Smokefree Aotearoa – world-leading developments with profound public health implications

New Zealand's new smoke-free policies could inspire the rest of the globe. But only if we keep up the momentum to ensure they succeed.
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Issue date

02 March 2023

Author(s)

Richard Edwards Janet Hoek Andrew Waa
Breaking the inequity loop

Key lessons from history highlight the need for Māori leadership across all aspects of health to improve Māori health equity for the future.
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Issue date

28 February 2023

Author(s)

Jason Gurney Jonathan Koea
Luke Pilkington-Ching

It’s been 3 years since COVID entered New Zealand – here are 3 ways to improve our response

We need to prepare for future pandemics and there are multiple lessons from the Covid-19 response. A global strategy of eliminating potential pandemics at source and interrupting their spread offers huge benefits for global health security.
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Issue date

27 February 2023

Author(s)

Michael Baker Amanda Kvalsvig Matire Harwood