Alcohol-related assaults in NZ decline after restrictions on late-night alcohol sales
Friday, 28 August 2020 9:50am
The number of people hospitalised because of assaults over the weekend reduced significantly following restrictions on late-night alcohol sales, new research from the University of Otago shows.
Professor John Broughton Retires
Monday, 24 August 2020 11:47am
Professor John Broughton (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu Ki Heretaunga), who has now retired from his position in the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM).
Digital contact tracing alone may not be miracle answer for COVID-19
Wednesday, 19 August 2020 2:33pm
In infectious disease outbreaks, digital contact tracing alone could reduce the number of cases, but not as much as manual contact tracing, new University of Otago-led research published in the Cochrane Library reveals.
Future research in safe hands at Otago Medical School
Thursday, 13 August 2020 11:00am
A group of Otago Medical School student researchers were awarded scholarships this week, showing there’s a bright future for medical research in New Zealand.
Otago University’s contact tracing system shows promising results in test scenario
Friday, 7 August 2020 10:56am
An initial test of the University of Otago’s contact tracing system for COVID-19 has produced promising results after most contacts identified in the emergency exercise scenario of a visiting international professor to the Dunedin campus were able to be tracked down.
Updates form the NTMHRU, post COVID-19
Monday, 3 August 2020 1:23pm
Welcome back to our tauira! We hope you are looking forward to semester two studies and catching up with your mates. If you need support, come and see us and/or apply for the tautoko hardship fund. Read more about the Māori response to COVID-19 and Urutā in this article too.
Kiwis stockpile paracetamol, the basis of most calls to National Poisons Centre
Wednesday, 15 July 2020 9:40am
While paracetamol was the most common substance of enquiry for calls to the National Poisons Centre in 2018, new research reveals most New Zealanders have large quantities of the painkiller stockpiled in their homes.
Otago researchers find link between rape and breathing problems
Friday, 10 July 2020 12:03pm
Rape and sexual trauma may have long-lasting consequences for physical health as well as mental health, University of Otago researchers have found.
Online COVID-19 masterclass attracts thousands from around the world
Wednesday, 8 July 2020 11:40am
International conferences held entirely online may well be the future, if the just-completed University of Otago Global Health Institute’s (OGHI) online COVID-19 Masterclass is anything to go by.
Less than half of schools have robust sun hat policies in place to protect children
Tuesday, 7 July 2020 10:54am
Despite schools being encouraged to implement sun protective hat wearing policy to reduce children’s future risk of skin cancer, less than half participating in a University of Otago study had robust policy in place.
COVID-19 questions to be answered in Otago University masterclass
Thursday, 11 June 2020 11:23am
If you’ve got questions about COVID-19, an upcoming fortnight-long masterclass, running from June 22 until July 3, should be on your radar.
Health of truck drivers and evening TV binge-watchers under Otago researchers’ spotlight
Friday, 29 May 2020 10:58am
The health and safety of truck drivers and the impacts of evening television binge-watching will come under the spotlight in new University of Otago research being funded by the Health Research Council.
Increase in HIV cases, but decline in numbers first diagnosed in New Zealand
Thursday, 28 May 2020 12:31pm
After two years of declining numbers of HIV cases in New Zealand, there was a slight increase in 2019, but many of these cases were first diagnosed overseas.
New insights into vaping uptake among Māori and Pacific peoples
Monday, 25 May 2020 11:08am
Māori and Pasifika who have not been able to quit smoking may need more support to move from smoking to vaping, researchers from the University of Otago and Māori public health collective Hāpai Te Hauora have found.
Otago research shines spotlight on health woes of Mururoa veterans and their children
Friday, 22 May 2020 11:30am
Cancers are prevalent among Mururoa veterans who witnessed the French atmospheric nuclear explosions in 1973 while many of their children have fertility problems, new University of Otago research reveals.
Smoking cannabis causes bronchitis and changes to lung function
Monday, 18 May 2020 10:05am
Cannabis is harmful to the lungs, but in a different way to tobacco, causing significant respiratory symptoms such as bronchitis with evidence to suggest it can result in destructive lung disease – sometimes referred to as ‘bong lung’ – in heavy cannabis users.
Sending children back to school: as safe as it’s ever been, doctors say
Tuesday, 28 April 2020 11:02am
With a lack of CoVID-19 circulating in our community, fewer other viruses and bacteria than usual, and good systems for detection and contact tracing in place, it is as safe as it has ever been for children to attend school.
Large numbers of NZ military personnel suffer post-traumatic stress, Otago research reveals
Friday, 24 April 2020 12:15pm
The first wide-ranging survey of New Zealand military personnel shows many suffer symptoms of post-traumatic stress (PTS) though greater length of service, psychological flexibility (resilience) and quality sleep may be protective factors.
Rapid Case Contact Management – COVID-19’s Achilles heel?
Thursday, 19 March 2020 11:15am
Most infectious diseases have an Achilles heel, the secret is to find it. The question is, if we don’t have a drug or a vaccine for COVID-19, is there something else we can do to beat it?
New Zealand’s COVID-19 public health response must be aggressive
Friday, 13 March 2020 4:17pm
China, Taiwan and other Asian countries have shown that a massive public health response to COVID-19 works. Now is the time for New Zealand to do the same.
Climate-friendly food choices protect the planet, promote health, and reduce healthcare costs
Thursday, 23 January 2020 9:34am
Increased uptake of plant-based diets in New Zealand could substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions while greatly improving population health and saving the healthcare system billions of dollars in the coming decades, according to a new University of Otago study.
Otago global health institute invests in research with Fiji and East Timor
Monday, 13 January 2020 9:16am
The Otago Global Health Institute, a flagship research centre of the University of Otago, is investing in new research initiatives in collaboration with the Fiji National University and the National University of East Timor to help address health problems in these countries.
Otago researchers ponder selling tobacco only through liquor stores, petrol stations or pharmacies
Thursday, 9 January 2020 2:39pm
The sale of tobacco only through liquor stores, petrol stations or pharmacies would considerably reduce the overall availability of tobacco and assist the Government in achieving its 2025 smokefree goal, new University of Otago research shows.
Tragedy led young Fijian doctor to change her country
Monday, 23 December 2019 4:02pm
Sometimes things happen that are so tragic, so traumatic, there is no way to forget them.
30 new Professors for the University of Otago
Tuesday, 10 December 2019 4:51pm
Thirty University of Otago academics have been promoted to the position of professor this year.
Our Director Dr Emma Wyeth has been promoted to Associate Professor!
Monday, 9 December 2019 10:11am
We are super proud to announce that our Director Dr Emma Wyeth has been promoted to Associate Professor!
Fewer Kiwis will die of bowel cancer if new screening tool introduced, Otago research reveals
Thursday, 28 November 2019 11:15am
Introducing flexible sigmoidoscopy screening into the national bowel screening programme would significantly reduce both the incidence and mortality of bowel cancer in New Zealand, new University of Otago research reveals.
Dairy owners’ lack of knowledge about e-cigarettes may undermine smoking cessation
Thursday, 7 November 2019 9:14am
Convenience store owners who lack knowledge of the e-cigarettes they sell may undermine, rather than support, smoking cessation.
Diabetes-related admissions in two Southern hospitals costs $41m in one year
Friday, 25 October 2019 9:38am
The cost of diabetes-related hospital admissions to Dunedin and Southland Hospitals for the 2016/2017 financial year was $41 million, new University of Otago research reveals.
Social audit as a social accountability mechanism for strengthening governance and service delivery in Nepal
Friday, 11 October 2019 9:57am
Social audit is a mechanism used to hold frontline health service providers accountable. This study explored the role of social audit in facilitating direct accountability between service providers and community.
