Health – Views & Research – The Conversation

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Abstract illustration of many heads with diverse colours and ethnicities

1 in 6 New Zealanders is disabled. Why does so much health research still exclude them?

Rachelle Martin, University of Otago and Kaaren Mathias, University of Canterbury

The tobacco lobby claims vaping is displacing youth smoking – a close look at the evidence tells another story

Sam Egger, University of Sydney; Becky Freeman, University of Sydney; Judith McCool, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, and Lucy Hardie, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

A young vaper on school grounds, with other people in the background

Studies of Parkinson’s disease have long overlooked Pacific populations – our work shows why that must change

Victor Dieriks, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau and Eden Paige Yin, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

Several brain scans as part of a medical diagnostic process.

5 years on, COVID remains NZ’s most important infectious disease – it still demands a strong response

Michael Baker, University of Otago; Amanda Kvalsvig, University of Otago; John Donne Potter, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University; Matire Harwood, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, and Nick Wilson, University of Otago

Top view of a crowd of people standing in a hallway

‘Cold violence’ – a hidden form of elder abuse in New Zealand’s Chinese community

Ágnes Szabó, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Mary Breheny, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University, and Polly Yeung, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

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A pregnant woman checking her blood sugar levels

Diabetes during pregnancy can cause serious problems later – mothers need proper screening after birth

Phyllis Ohene-Agyei, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

Two young children climbing through a tube

Children with traumatic experiences have a higher risk of obesity – but this can be turned around

Ladan Hashemi, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

Deliberate disinformation campaigns are a public health risk – but NZ has no effective strategy to deal with it

Helen Petousis-Harris, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

The COVID inquiry report is an excellent guide to preparing for the next pandemic – health cuts put that at risk

Michael Baker, University of Otago; Amanda Kvalsvig, University of Otago; Collin Tukuitonga, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, and Nick Wilson, University of Otago

In a global nursing shortage, NZ’s reliance on overseas-trained staff is not sustainable

Kathy Holloway, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

A nurse tends to a COVID patient at hospital

Basic rules for screen time at a young age can help reduce childhood obesity – new research

Ladan Hashemi, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

Close-up of a child playing on a touch screen tablet.

Low angle image of people standing in a queue behind social-distancing signage on the floor.

The NZ government’s plan to withhold COVID inquiry findings until 2026 leaves the country ill-prepared for the next pandemic

Shaun Hendy, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington and Michael Plank, University of Canterbury

Genome sequencing developed to trace COVID is now protecting babies in intensive care from infectious diseases

Rhys Thomas White, ESR; David Winter, ESR, and Suzanne Manning, ESR

Access to a GP can make all the difference in surviving lung cancer – and that is a problem for Māori

Ross Lawrenson, University of Waikato and Chunhuan Lao, University of Waikato

A looming crisis means New Zealand must rethink how it pays for aged care

Claire Dale, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

Metal rollator parked in care home hallway

Healthier, happier, fairer: new research shows major life benefits from decarbonising transport

Caroline Shaw, University of Otago