Alcohol is the most harmful drug in Aotearoa NZ, yet new law changes could make it even easier to access while reducing community say over local licensing decisions. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/unp...

Alcohol is the most harmful drug in Aotearoa NZ, yet new law changes could make it even easier to access while reducing community say over local licensing decisions. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/unp...

Proposed changes to alcohol laws in Aotearoa New Zealand would increase availability and limit community input, contributing to greater harm and inequities. Evidence shows more access leads to more harm. @AlcHealthwatch www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/unp...

#NZ Scholarships to attend the Science Communicators of NZ conference in Ōtautahi #Christchurch 25-26 June – You do not need to be an existing SCANZ member to apply – Applications close at 5:00pm on 30 April 2026 www.scanz.co.nz/2026-scholar... #scicomm #SciCommNZ #SCANZ2026

Wellington’s extreme deluge was caused by an unfortunate combination of weather factors. But a warming climate is upping the odds of more of these events in future.

More than 400,000 New Zealanders have experienced Long Covid and nearly half are still symptomatic. Long Covid is a stark reminder of the pandemic’s persistence with real and ongoing health, social, and economic impacts. So where is the government response? www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/lon...

Bigger vehicles, bigger impacts. New analysis of NZ travel data finds ‘supersized’ vehicles are mostly used for short urban trips despite their outsized health, safety, and climate costs. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/we-...

Many New Zealanders are not following dietary guidelines. Policy changes that improve access to healthy, sustainable foods could help shift this at a population level. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/foo...

Evidence-based food policy offers a pathway to better health outcomes, lower healthcare costs and reduced inequities in Aotearoa NZ. @xtotl.bsky.social @universityofotago.bsky.social www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/foo...

"New Zealand must take long COVID seriously. Denial of these impacts and delays in providing appropriate care mean New Zealand is missing opportunities to limit harms to individuals and society." #kikorangi #longcovid @amandakvalsvig.bsky.social theconversation.com/almost-200-0...

NZ's fuel vulnerability highlights the need for rapid, low-cost measures that reduce reliance on driving by making walking and cycling safer and more accessible. Here are three quick wins. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/rap...

Present fuel insecurity highlights how vulnerable Aotearoa New Zealand’s fuel supply is. Low-traffic neighbourhoods, bike lanes and e-bike programmes can reduce demand quickly and keep communities moving. #cycling #urbanplanning www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/rap...

Sepsis hospitalisations in Aotearoa rose 78% between 2000 and 2019. Despite improved survival, inequities remain stark for Māori, Pacific peoples and those in high deprivation. A coordinated national response is needed. #sepsis www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/inc...

From 'Cotton Candy' to ‘Gummy Bear’, Vape retailers are flouting flavour restrictions, finds new research www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/why...

The flu vaccine doesn't just prevent influenza. A growing body of research — dozens of studies and 28 systematic reviews — shows it also cuts heart attacks and strokes by around one third. Read more in our latest Briefing. #kikorangi www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/inf...

“Most people think of the flu vaccine as preventing a week of unpleasant symptoms, but the evidence now shows it also significantly reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.” #kikorangi www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/inf...

Heart disease and stroke account for ~12,000 deaths in NZ every year. The flu vaccination reduces your risk of a major cardiac event by roughly a third. Read more from experts in our latest Briefing. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/inf...

📢 We're excited to announce that the abstracts for 14th HSRAANZ Conference are now open. 👉 Submit your abstract here: lnkd.in/efmq4Ats Submissions close 7 May 2026. #HSRAANZ26

Dog-related injuries are rising in Aotearoa New Zealand, with more than 29,000 ACC claims and over 1000 hospitalisations each year. Stronger laws are needed to prevent harm. New Briefing: evidence for reform of the Dog Control Act 1996. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/evi...

The just-released Phase Two report of NZ's COVID-19 Royal Commission of Inquiry highlights the need to prepare now for the next pandemic. In a new Briefing, Prof Michael Baker and colleagues outline key steps to strengthen New Zealand’s pandemic preparedness. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/cov...

Smoke from landscape and urban fires contains fine particles and toxic gases that harm respiratory and cardiovascular health. It requires real-time air quality monitoring and coordinated response. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/fir...

Landscape and urban fires are increasing in frequency and severity in NZ. Real-time monitoring and coordinated response systems are needed to better protect communities during fast-moving fire events. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/fir...

Providing free #e-bikes with training and social support helps people keep riding and improves their physical and mental health, supporting the case for wider access to grow active transport in Aotearoa New Zealand. 🚲⚡ www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/fun...

Evidence from international and local research shows health-based approaches to drug policy achieve better outcomes than punitive models and do not increase overall drug use when properly implemented. Watch Dr Rose Crossin on @nzherald.bsky.social LIVE www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/should-re...

Over five decades NZ’s drug laws have coincided with increased drug availability, falling prices and rising indicators of harm. Jacek Kolodziej and co-authors call on politicians to work across party lines to replace the outdated Misuse of Drugs Act. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/saf...

Protection for NZ’s drinking water sources will be significantly weakened under the proposed replacement of the RMA. 🚱 www.phcc.org.nz/news/media-r...

Sunburn remains particularly common among young adults in NZ, with most 18–24-year-olds reporting at least one sunburn and many experiencing multiple or severe sunburns in a single summer. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/hig...

New analysis shows the Global Health Security (GHS) Index predicted Covid-19 mortality for non-island jurisdictions, but not for island nations. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/glo...

Urban cycleways deliver well-documented safety, health, environmental and economic benefits. Evidence from NZ and overseas shows active transport investments often return benefits that far exceed their costs. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/pub...

A national survey of 1000+ New Zealanders found more support than opposition for increased investment in urban cycleways (41% vs 35%), with 24% neutral. #PublicHealth www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/pub...

Asbestos in children’s play sand is a first for NZ and the health risk is still unclear. Experts say exposed children need long-term monitoring. #PublicHealth www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/asb...

Alcohol is involved in 46% of male-perpetrated intimate partner homicides. Reducing availability is an evidence-based way to prevent violent victimisation. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/sea...

Alcohol plays a major role in violence against women in Aotearoa, contributing to more than half of physical and sexual assaults and a third of family violence cases. Gender-responsive alcohol harm reduction is needed to support safer environments. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/sea...

NZ Health Survey shows more than 500,000 daily vapers with persistent inequities by age and deprivation. More evaluation and enforcement of recent regulatory changes is needed. @predwards.bsky.social www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/vap...

Worried about how big $$ influences alcohol policy? You should be. Check out our briefing @phcc.bsky.social today that shows: ▶️ alcohol more harmful than we thought ▶️ low-risk advice needs to be reviewed ▶️ #BigAlcohol lobbying is influencing our policy makers

Over half a million New Zealanders were vaping daily in 2024–25, and vaping remained highest among young people, Māori, Pacific peoples, and those in more deprived areas. @predwards.bsky.social www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/vap...

Aotearoa NZ’s low-risk drinking advice has not been updated since 2011. Researchers say the current review must be protected from vested interests to ensure it reflects current evidence. #alcoholawareness www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/rec...

Researchers warn New Zealand’s review of its low-risk drinking advice is vulnerable to alcohol industry influence. Strong safeguards are needed to ensure the process reflects independent evidence. #alcoholawareness www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/rec...

Smoking quit rates stall in NZ. @janethoek.bsky.social @predwards.bsky.social #PublicHealth #TobaccoControl www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/smo...

Most NZ teens start social media between ages 10 and 13, a period critical for brain development and emotional regulation. #publichealth www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/pro...

Nearly 1 in 4 NZ teens meet criteria for problematic social media use and over a third fall into a risky category according to new survey. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/pro...

"Will this government listen? Will they realise we are killing too many people at work, and making too many people sick because of work, and it's costing us $5.5 billion a year." omny.fm/shows/the-fr...

Diet-related disease is rising in NZ and the food system plays a major role. The Briefing sets out how better policy settings could create healthier food environments. #foodsystems www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/ref...

NZ produces high-quality food yet many households still struggle to afford healthy options. This Briefing examines how trade-driven settings shape our diets and what systemic changes could strengthen food security. #foodsecurity www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/ref...

"We should follow ...other countries to better protect the lives and wellbeing of our workers and also boost productivity. We owe the 29 Pike River miners this much." www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/fif...

“No-one can be assured that they are protected in their workplace. I know how hard it is to lose a loved one – no-one should be killed in their workplace.” @stuff.co.nz www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...

15 years on from Pike River, NZ still records 2x the workplace deaths of Australia and 4x the UK per capita. System-level reform in workplace health and safety is needed. #publichealth www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/fif...

NZ’s ranking for protection from tobacco industry interference has fallen dramatically from 2nd to 53rd in global ranking, with repealed smokefree laws and a tax cut for heated tobacco products noted as key factors. @janethoek.bsky.social tinyurl.com/yfek4fwm

"If there is a coherent throughline to the totality of the Government’s climate policies, it can only be a willingness to increase New Zealand’s contribution to global warming." newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/07/g...