745 Results

  • Reducing the risk of Covid-19 transmission through the use of air purifiers

    … the virus that causes Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) by containment and concentration of the airborne virus. However, to reduce … breathe out virus particles which spread through the air. 1 The most effective way to remove these particles is by … 2 Portable air purifiers (also called air filters or air cleaners) contain a fan that pushes air through a …
    Briefing

  • Modelling tobacco tax – implications of BODE3 paper just out, and personal reflections on the research journey

    … that estimates the health gains, health inequality and health system cost impacts of ongoing annual 10% … In this blog I outline the key findings of this paper, and why I think this paper is important. I also reflect on my … The tax intervention works by decreasing the incidence or inflow into these tobacco-related disease lifetables. It …
    Briefing

  • Antiviral stockpiles for pandemic preparedness: Time for a careful rethink?

    … approach. This blog discusses some of the new evidence and suggests options for a review process.New Zealand seems … more than one million doses of oseltamivir ( Tamiflu ) and 300,000 of zanamivir ( Relenza ), costing $32 million. … hygiene and promoting staying at home when sick)? Or how might it compare with enhancing hospital surge …
    Briefing

  • Can earthquakes be good for public health?

    … historically had a terrible impact on human populations – and the shocking damage to Christchurch and its citizens in … preparedness, and increased use of stairs over lifts. 1) Post-earthquake rebuilds can allow for improved urban … to consistently try to use stairs, especially for just one or two stories. This would also help address the country’s …
    Briefing

  • Media release: New Zealand’s overlooked health risk - National action needed on indoor air quality

    … poor air inside our hospitals, schools, workplaces, homes and public buildings is a major but largely invisible health risk.   “We wouldn’t drink dirty water or eat unsafe food, but we rarely think about the air we … quality in public buildings could save New Zealand around $1 billion annually through reduced healthcare costs and …
    News

  • Home modification to reduce falls – appears cost-effective in NZ

    … We have just published a modelling study on a home safety and modification programme to prevent falls in older people. … per work led by the Health Quality & Safety Commission [ 1 ] (see also this HQSC online guidance to health workers on … we have modelled). Targeting HSAM only to people age 65+ or 75+ with previous injurious falls was estimated to be even …
    Briefing

  • Ready or not? Pandemic preparedness index and implications for NZ

    … not show the expected correlation between GHS Index scores and Covid-19 outcomes. Just published research now … in the future. The ri sks include pandemic influenza or a new infectious disease, as well as deliberate biological … experienced the greatest levels of Covid-19 burden. 1 For example, one study suggested that the higher the GHS …
    Briefing

  • Front-of-pack nutrition labels improve understanding but don’t improve healthy food choices; Starlight Trial just published

    … Health Star Rating and Traffic Light nutrition labels have a minor impact on New … labels: Traffic Light labels, Health Star Rating labels, or Nutrition Information Panels. Participants used their … to ‘see’ the allocated nutrition labels. Figure 1: The three labels study participants were randomised to: …
    Briefing

  • Can pandemic threats justify border closure for island nations like NZ?

    … of pandemic influenza, novel emerging infectious agents and possible synthetic bioweapons. In a study we just … socio-economic, environmental and ecological factors (1). There are also added threats from deliberate human modification of existing or potential pathogens (2). A common view is that country …
    Briefing

  • Despite improved WHO regulations, the world remains ill-prepared for the next pandemic

    … detection of “pandemic emergencies”, greater preparedness, and additional competencies such as risk communication and managing misinformation and disinformation. What is … like Covid-19 – the worst in a century – is increasing . 1 The World Health Organization ( WHO ) took an important …
    Briefing

Subscribe

Briefing CTA

Public Health Expert Briefing

Get the latest insights from the public health research community delivered straight to your inbox for free. Subscribe to stay up to date with the latest research, analysis and commentary from the Public Health Expert Briefing.

PHCC logo PHCC

The PHCC is funded by a philanthropic endowment from the Gama Foundation and hosted by the Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington.

Contact

Email phcc@phcc.org.nz
43 Hanson Street, Mt Cook, 
Wellington | Te Whanganui-a-Tara
PO Box 7343, Wellington South 6242
New Zealand | Aotearoa

 

Public Health Expert Briefing (ISSN 2816-1203)