Search | PHCC

Mobile phone use while driving: Do we need smartcars that turn off smartphones?
… New Zealand still has a problem with the use of mobile phones while driving, even though a recent law may have helped somewhat. This blog discusses … to make or answer calls (even though their vehicle was often still in moving traffic at the lights). Other notable …
Briefing
Vaping prevalence and trends: Important findings from 2023-24 NZ Health Survey
… products and also support people who smoke to switch to a nicotine source that poses fewer physical harms. Vapes … to reduce smoking prevalence by offering people who smoke a less physically harmful alternative to smoking. However, … been greater than decreases in smoking, which has led to a small but statistically significant increase in the …
Briefing
Public Health Solutions Series: Two Injury Prevention Strategies to Reduce Pressure on the Health System
… been modelled for the NZ setting where we considered a one-off 15 cent ($0.15) increase in tax per standard drink … (mg) per 100 millilitres (ml) of blood (equivalent to a 0.05% blood alcohol concentration [BAC] by volume). For NZ … and some US states (0.01% and 0.02%). But is there a scientific case for going to such lower levels? A recent …
Briefing
Media release: Rise in congenital syphilis requires action – experts
… There is a global resurgence of syphilis that is having inequitable … of pregnancy could help. Congenital syphilis occurs when a mother with syphilis passes the infection on to her baby during pregnancy. Prior to 2017 …
News
Media release: Good firearms law needs multiple defensive layers
… . Recent research has shown that the combined effect of a strong restrictive set of firearm policies is associated … the “Swiss cheese” model for preventing system failures is a useful tool for considering firearms policy. “The Swiss … of focussing on the errors of individuals, we should take a system approach that considers how individuals live and …
News
Media release: New Zealanders back action on preventing alcohol harm
… protect health—especially for children. The results of a new independent poll , published by the Public Health … and industry involvement in policy making. Nearly 80% back a ban on alcohol ads seen by children. “Alcohol is the most harmful drug in Aotearoa, but it’s marketed like a harmless treat,” says Karen Wright, Health Coalition …
News
Young New Zealanders want a tobacco-free future - new research
… survey conducted in Aotearoa in August-September 2023. A storm of protest has erupted following the announcement … to be reduced to very low and non-addictive levels, and a smokefree generation policy making it illegal to sell smoked tobacco products to people born on or after 1 January 2009. New research New research released …
Briefing
Food and beverage taxes for a healthier diet: The Pacific experience
… New Zealand (NZ), the Pacific and globally we are seeing a growing impact of the food environment on chronic disease … Indeed, leaders of Pacific Island countries have declared a non-communicable disease (NCD) crisis 1; 2 reflecting the … (typically 20+% of shelf price) that are expected to make a meaningful impact on the consumption of unhealthy food …
Briefing
How can we address tobacco companies’ manipulation of cigarette prices?
… on pricing and changes in the NZ tobacco market during a period of sustained excise tax increases , and explain how … the potentially negative perception of trading down to a cheaper option. Freezing the cigarette market would prevent … quitting. Although changes in net real stick prices were often small, when aggregated over hundreds of thousands of …
Briefing
Protecting hapu māmā and newborn babies through immunisation during pregnancy in Aotearoa New Zealand
… are an unborn child’s first immunisation event. They are a safe, effective way of protecting hapū māmā (pregnant … the first months of life when they are vulnerable to infection but not yet old enough to be immunised themselves. … 2) at: https://geohealthlab.shinyapps.io/hapumama/ and a summary of immunisation coverage from 2013–2020 can be …
Briefing

Subscribe

Public Health Expert Briefing