Health – Views & Research – The Conversation

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.

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

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

Read NZ's best experts in science, health, business and more

Get our free NZ Weekly newsletter

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

It’s almost impossible to keep teens off their phones in bed – but new research shows it really does affect their sleep

Rachael Taylor, University of Otago

NZ has opted out of an infant formula standard – the evidence says that’s a backward step

Gergely Toldi, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau and Mariana Muelbert, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

Pregnant female drinking cognac during pregnancy period.

Heavy drinking in NZ is dropping – but not fast enough to stop the brutal legacy of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Sally Casswell, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

A tool not a panacea: telehealth is overhyped as a solution to New Zealand’s rural health-care crisis

Kyle Eggleton, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

Virtual doctor concept, The doctor's hand with stethoscope protrudes from the laptop screen to examine the patient.

Cancer diagnosis can be devastating, but for some it gives permission to live more radically

Kevin Dew, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington; Alex Broom, University of Sydney; Chris Cunningham, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University; Elizabeth Dennett, University of Otago; Kerry Chamberlain, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University, and Richard Egan, University of Otago

Two women, one of whom is going through cancer treatment, raise their fists in a determined gesture.

Under pressure, 80% of GPs closed their books to new patients at some point since 2019 – here’s why

Jacqueline Cumming, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

Close-up hand image of a serious patient having a medical consultation with a professional doctor

Dear Pharmac – do things differently: what David Seymour’s expectations could mean for the drug-buying agency

Paula Lorgelly, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau and Richard Edlin, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau