Public Health Communication Centre
@phcc.bsky.social
Promoting research, analysis and commentary for a healthier Aotearoa. Subscribe to our Briefing. www.phcc.org.nz
Public health researchers are calling for more drinking fountains to be installed nationwide, because they can help improve people's health. www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
Professor Nick Wilson on the benefits of drinking fountains
Public health researchers are calling for more drinking fountains to be installed nationwide, because they can help improve people's health. Professor Nick Wilson from the University of Otago's Depart...
rnz.co.nz
Installing more public drinking fountains is a low-cost way to support healthier communities by encouraging the use of green spaces, promoting physical activity and reducing sugary drink consumption across Aotearoa New Zealand. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/sim...
Simple intervention doubles Taranaki drinking fountains: A public health success story
Installing more public drinking fountains is a low-cost way to support healthier communities by encouraging the use of green spaces, promoting physical activity and reducing sugary drink consumption a...
phcc.org.nz
Public drinking fountains are a simple, low-cost investment that can support physical activity, encourage the use of parks and provide a healthier alternative to sugary drinks. #publichealth www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/sim...
Simple intervention doubles Taranaki drinking fountains: A public health success story
Installing more public drinking fountains is a low-cost way to support healthier communities by encouraging the use of green spaces, promoting physical activity and reducing sugary drink consumption a...
phcc.org.nz
New research involving more than 630,000 NZ preschool-aged children has found lower rates of tooth decay in fluoridated areas, reinforcing the benefits of community water fluoridation. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/nz-...
NZ fluoridation dashboard launched as study confirms benefits for children
The launch of a new interactive online tool allowing New Zealanders to check whether their drinking water supply is fluoridated coincides with the publication of an analysis that confirms lower rates ...
phcc.org.nz
Is your local drinking water fluoridated? A new online dashboard makes it easier to find out, helping communities better understand their drinking water and fluoridation coverage in Aotearoa NZ. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/nz-...
NZ fluoridation dashboard launched as study confirms benefits for children
The launch of a new interactive online tool allowing New Zealanders to check whether their drinking water supply is fluoridated coincides with the publication of an analysis that confirms lower rates ...
phcc.org.nz
Paediatricians say funding new vaccines for the respiratory illness RSV could keep thousands of kids out of hospital every year. Dr Emma Best, an associate professor of paediatric and youth health at Auckland University on Morning Report. www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
Paediatricians push for funded RSV vaccine
Paediatricians say funding a new vaccine for the respiratory illness RSV could keep thousands of kids out of hospital every year. Dr Emma Best, an associate professor of pediatric and youth health at ...
rnz.co.nz
Aotearoa NZ is falling behind comparable countries in protecting babies from RSV, despite effective immunisations that can prevent most severe disease. It's time to introduce RSV immunisation through the National Immunisation Programme. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/pro...
Protecting NZ infants from RSV: The case for universal immunisation
Introducing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunisations for infants and pregnant women in Aotearoa New Zealand could prevent avoidable hospitalisations, reduce winter pressure on the health system...
phcc.org.nz
Prevention saves lives. Evidence-based policies on tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food could improve health, reduce inequities and ease pressure on Aotearoa NZ's health system. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/mor...
Good public health policy depends on good public policy. Prevention Brief 2026 argues stronger lobbying rules and better management of conflicts of interest are needed to strengthen decision-making. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/mor...
More prevention, less 'modern corruption’: A call-to-action to protect public health
Health Coalition Aotearoa's Prevention Brief 2026 calls for stronger evidence-based prevention policies on tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy food alongside lobbying reform to improve health, reduce ineq...
phcc.org.nz
Three commercial products - tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food - account for around a quarter of all healthy years of life lost in Aotearoa New Zealand. Prevention policy matters. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/mor...
More prevention, less 'modern corruption’: A call-to-action to protect public health
Health Coalition Aotearoa's Prevention Brief 2026 calls for stronger evidence-based prevention policies on tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy food alongside lobbying reform to improve health, reduce ineq...
phcc.org.nz
"The recent surge in fuel prices is doing more than stretching household budgets. Public health researchers say it's worsening transport poverty, making it harder for thousands of NZers to access healthcare, education, employment & even basic necessities such as food." waateanews.com/2026/07/09/r...
#economy: Rising Fuel Costs Drive Transport Poverty, Widening Health Inequities Across Aotearoa - Waatea News: Māori Radio Station
The recent surge in fuel prices is doing more than stretching household budgets. Public health researchers say it is worsening transport poverty, making it harder for thousands of New Zealanders […]
waateanews.com
"It compared 735,800 birth records of babies born between 2008 to 2021 with the residential address of the mother and historical nitrate levels in the area, and looked at the risk of a pre-term birth." www.rnz.co.nz/news/science...
Landmark NZ study finds link between pre-natal exposure to nitrate in drinking water and premature births
A massive new study of more than 750,000 births nationwide has found an average of 120 premature births each year could be attributed to nitrate in drinking water.
rnz.co.nz
New study found higher nitrate concentrations in drinking water were associated with "small but consistent increased risks of pre-term births" at levels well below the current legal limit for nitrate in drinking water, www.rnz.co.nz/news/science...
Landmark NZ study finds link between pre-natal exposure to nitrate in drinking water and premature births
A massive new study of more than 750,000 births nationwide has found an average of 120 premature births each year could be attributed to nitrate in drinking water.
rnz.co.nz
A new study has found nitrate in drinking water is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth in Aotearoa New Zealand, even at levels that are much lower than the current drinking water standard. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/nit...
Nitrate pollution of drinking water linked to preterm birth: new NZ study
A new Aotearoa New Zealand study suggests that even low levels of nitrate in drinking water may increase the risk of preterm birth, strengthening the case for reviewing current drinking water standard...
phcc.org.nz
A recent PHCC Briefing recommended several long-term, solutions to transport poverty that focus on reducing New Zealand's reliance on private vehicles and fuels, rather than just short-term relief. 95bfm.com/bcast/fuel-c...
Fuel Crisis is worsening transport poverty w/ University of Otago Associate Professor of Public Health Angela Curl: 13th July, 2026
In the latest Public Health Communication Centre briefing, researchers have warned that New Zealand's reliance on volatile fuel prices is increasing the country's transport poverty issue. The briefing...
95bfm.com
The average Aotearoa NZ household spends $252 a week on transport. Higher fuel prices mean many families face impossible choices between transport, food and heating. These trade-offs have real health consequences. tinyurl.com/2h5wwt6s
Transport poverty in Aotearoa NZ: A healthy and sustainable transport system is needed
Transport poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand is worsening with recent fuel cost rises limiting access to healthcare, food, education, employment and social connections. Long-term investment in low-carbon...
tinyurl.com
Leaded petrol disappeared from Aotearoa NZ's service stations nearly 30 years ago. But it's still being used in some light aircraft and motor racing. A new Briefing says it's time to plan a transition to unleaded alternatives. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/lea...
Leaded aviation and motor racing fuel in Aotearoa New Zealand – an unresolved threat to health
Leaded petrol is still being used in some light aircraft and motor racing in Aotearoa New Zealand, despite the well-established health risks of lead exposure and the availability of unleaded alternati...
phcc.org.nz
Submissions on this Bill close on Thursday 2 July.
Public Health Communication Centre@phcc.bsky.social · 2mo agoThe Government's proposed move-on orders would worsen outcomes for children and young people experiencing homelessness, criminalising those as young as 14. Focus should be on permanent housing and support, not criminal sanctions. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/mov...
Denmark has committed to a drinking water nitrate limit almost ten times lower than the current international standard after reviewing expert evidence linking nitrate exposure to colorectal cancer. What are the implications for NZ? www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/den...
Denmark to dramatically reduce limit for nitrate in drinking water - should NZ do the same?
New evidence linking nitrate contamination of drinking water to colorectal cancer has prompted the Danish Government to commit to a substantially lower drinking water limit for nitrate, reducing the a...
phcc.org.nz
New Dietary Guidelines for Americans have been criticised for being inconsistent, at odds with the latest evidence, & potentially confusing. Our latest Briefing outlines their flaws, compares them to NZ guidelines & discusses how to support NZers to eat healthier. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/us-...
The US has revised their dietary guidelines - should NZ follow suit?
Unlike the newly released US dietary guidelines, Aotearoa New Zealand's dietary guidelines remain broadly aligned with scientific evidence, but we lack current data on what New Zealanders are eating.
phcc.org.nz
Health Star Ratings provide consumers with clear nutritional information at-a-glance and an incentive for food companies to make products healthier. However, the voluntary system has led to only 36% of eligible products displaying Health Stars. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/mak...
Making Health Star Ratings on foods mandatory – a big plus for public health
Low uptake of voluntary Health Star Ratings, combined with strong evidence that consumers value clear nutrition information, strengthens the case for mandatory labelling.
phcc.org.nz
"Children and young people do not choose to live on the street" Public health experts say the proposed move-on orders will "criminalise homelessness" among some of Aotearoa's most vulnerable young people, including children as young as 14. www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu...
Move-on orders will 'criminalise children experiencing homelessness' - public health experts
The move-on Bill could create "a new pathway into the criminal justice system", according to a new briefing.
rnz.co.nz
Protecting children from the vaping industry requires stronger enforcement and comprehensive measures that address the appeal, affordability and accessibility of all vaping products. Read our briefing here: www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/new...
New laws shift the vape market, but challenges for youth protection continue
New study shows availability of very low-cost products and significant gaps in retailer compliance threaten to undermine laws introduced one year ago to reduce youth vaping.
phcc.org.nz
A year on from law changes introduced to reduce youth vaping, a new study of retailers finds disposable vapes have largely disappeared from the shelves. However, the industry has filled the gap with very low-cost reusables, threatening to undermine the policy’s aims. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/new...
New laws shift the vape market, but challenges for youth protection continue
New study shows availability of very low-cost products and significant gaps in retailer compliance threaten to undermine laws introduced one year ago to reduce youth vaping.
phcc.org.nz
A year ago today, NZ introduced laws to reduce youth vaping. So what happened? Our new @phcc.bsky.social Briefing presents findings from an audit of 87 specialist vape stores in Wellington, and discusses policy implications. 🧵
The Government's proposed move-on orders would worsen outcomes for children and young people experiencing homelessness, criminalising those as young as 14. Focus should be on permanent housing and support, not criminal sanctions. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/mov...
Move-on orders will criminalise children experiencing homelessness
Proposed move-on orders would criminalise homelessness and worsen outcomes for children and young people who have nowhere safe to go.
phcc.org.nz
Warning labels explain the harms of smoking. New NZ research shows inserts inside tobacco packs effectively provide something different: encouragement, motivation and practical support to quit. #smokefree @janethoek.bsky.social www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/hel...
Helping smokers quit: The case for tobacco pack inserts
A new study suggests that low-cost efficacy inserts inside tobacco packs could help more people quit smoking by providing supportive, whānau-focused messages that build confidence and complement exist...
phcc.org.nz
Most people who smoke regret starting and want to quit. New research suggests supportive messages inside tobacco packs could help build confidence to quit and complement existing warning labels. @janethoek.bsky.social #SmokefreeAotearoa www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/hel...
Helping smokers quit: The case for tobacco pack inserts
A new study suggests that low-cost efficacy inserts inside tobacco packs could help more people quit smoking by providing supportive, whānau-focused messages that build confidence and complement exist...
phcc.org.nz
As the Health Select Committee considers the Drug Overdose (Assistance Protection) Legislation Bill, new analysis reviews the evidence for Good Samaritan overdose laws and their potential to save lives. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/goo...
Good Samaritan overdose laws can help reduce preventable deaths from accidental drug overdose
With nearly three New Zealanders dying from accidental drug overdose every week, more needs to be done to prevent such deaths. Good Samaritan overdose laws are one intervention that can help save live...
phcc.org.nz
The Health Select Committee is considering a Good Samaritan law, providing legal protection to people seeking emergency help during an overdose. The law could reduce preventable overdose deaths, which claim about 150 New Zealand lives each year. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/goo...
Good Samaritan overdose laws can help reduce preventable deaths from accidental drug overdose
With nearly three New Zealanders dying from accidental drug overdose every week, more needs to be done to prevent such deaths. Good Samaritan overdose laws are one intervention that can help save live...
phcc.org.nz