Health – Views & Research – The Conversation

A closeup of a fruit and vegetable aisle in a supermarket

Severe irritability in teens can be reduced by daily doses of vitamins and minerals – new research

Julia J Rucklidge, University of Canterbury; Angela Sherwin, University of Canterbury; Joseph Boden, University of Otago, and Roger Mulder, University of Otago

We studied primary care in 6 rich countries – it’s under unprecedented strain everywhere

Felicity Goodyear-Smith, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

Not just sport and car crashes: debunking 5 myths about traumatic brain injury in NZ

Kelly Jones, Auckland University of Technology

Did NZ’s sweeping health reforms deliver on their promise? 3 years on, the verdict is mixed

Arshad Ali, University of Otago and Ehtasham Ghauri

Pharmac wants to trim its controversial medicines waiting list – no list at all might be better

Paula Lorgelly, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Braden Te Ao, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, and Richard Edlin, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

A selection of blister packs of medicines

A young person vaping, with a cloud of vapour covering their face

Vaping has slowed progress in cutting teen smoking in NZ – new study

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

NZ’s health data hack needs a proper diagnosis – and a transparent treatment plan

Dylan A Mordaunt, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Flinders University; The University of Melbourne

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A new index challenges common beliefs about drug use and harm in NZ

Chris Wilkins, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University; Jose S. Romeo, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University; Marta Rychert, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University, and Robin van der Sanden, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

More veg, less meat: the latest global update on a diet that’s good for people and the planet

Sheila Skeaff, University of Otago

An assortment of vegetables including cabbage, broccoli, cabbage, turnip, kale, romanesco, radish, arugula, kohlrabi and swedes on wood rustic board

Why investment in clean indoor air is vital preparation for the pandemics and climate emergencies to come

Amanda Kvalsvig, University of Otago and Anna-Maria Arabia

New research challenges the idea of a ‘vicious cycle’ between psychological distress and conspiracy beliefs

Nick Fox, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University; Matt Williams, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University, and Stephen Hill, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

A graphic with red stripes and an eye peeking through in the middle

An older person doing stretching exercises

As people live longer and healthier, nurse training needs to respond to avoid ageist attitudes

Samantha Heath, University of Waikato

Most donor-conceived children are told about their origins, but many parents wish they had more support

Karyn Anderson, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau and Cynthia Farquhar, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

Two mums and their son, embracing, seen from the back

NZ’s shift to more private health care will likely raise costs and reduce quality: what the evidence tells us

Kaaren Mathias, University of Canterbury

Graphic warnings on tobacco products are losing their impact – here are 5 ways to improve them

Janet Hoek, University of Otago; Andrew Waa, University of Otago; Lani Teddy, University of Otago, and Philip Gendall, University of Otago

A pack of cigarettes with an image of a man expressing regret he started smoking

Around 900,000 Kiwis experience food insecurity: it’s a quiet crisis that needs urgent attention

Dennis Wesselbaum, University of Otago