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Health Sciences profile

Research Associate Professor Amanda Kvalsvig

PositionResearch Associate Professor
DepartmentDepartment of Public Health (Wellington)
QualificationsMB ChB(Cape Town) MSc(Lond) PhD(Otago) MRCPCH
Research summaryChildren’s health

Research

Research Associate Professor Amanda Kvalsvig has a dual background in clinical paediatrics and epidemiology, and is a Senior Research Fellow in the Department. Her research activities currently have a strong focus on New Zealand’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic; she is the lead researcher of Co-Search, a COVID-19 research collaborative led by Professor Michael Baker. She is also lead researcher of SYMBIOTIC, a newly-funded HRC programme led by Michael Baker which aims to investigate the two-way relationships between infectious disease and long-term conditions.

Amanda’s other research interests are centred on the social determinants of health and wellbeing: topics include other infectious diseases (particularly meningococcal disease), breastfeeding, child poverty, and early child development. She supervises postgraduate students undertaking research on these topics, and also has a methodological interest in the challenges of analysing existing data to develop high-quality evidence for policy and practice.

Publications

Kvalsvig, A., Tuari-Toma, B., Timu-Parata, C., Bennett, J., Sinnema, C., Summers, J., Davies, C., Jackson, C., … Telfar Barnard, L., & Baker, M. G. (2023). Protecting school communities from COVID-19 and other infectious disease outbreaks: The urgent need for healthy schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 136(1571), 7-19. Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz/

Grout, L., Gottfreðsson, M., Kvalsvig, A., Baker, M. G., Wilson, N., & Summers, J. (2023). Comparing COVID-19 pandemic health responses in two high-income island nations: Iceland and New Zealand. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/14034948221149143

Summers, J., Kvalsvig, A., French, N., & Baker, M. G. (2023). Bacteria: Campylobacter. In Reference module in food science. Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-822521-9.00035-6

Kvalsvig, A. (2022). As winter bites, NZ urgently needs a COVID action plan for schools: Here's how to do it. The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/as-winter-bites-nz-urgently-needs-a-covid-action-plan-for-schools-heres-how-to-do-it-184728

Bennett, J., Shorter, C., Kvalsvig, A., Telfar Barnard, L., Wilson, N., Crane, J., Douwes, J., Cunningham, C., … Summers, J., … Baker, M. G., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2022). Indoor air quality, largely neglected and in urgent need of a refresh. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1559), 136-139. Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz

Summers, J., Kvalsvig, A., French, N., & Baker, M. G. (2023). Bacteria: Campylobacter. In Reference module in food science. Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-822521-9.00035-6

Chapter in Book - Research

Davies, C., Timu-Parata, C., Stairmand, J., Robson, B., Kvalsvig, A., Lum, D., & Signal, V. (2022). A kia ora, a wave and a smile: An urban marae-led response to COVID-19, a case study in manaakitanga. International Journal for Equity in Health, 21, 70. doi: 10.1186/s12939-022-01667-8

Journal - Research Article

Gray, L., MacDonald, C., Puloka, A., Bocock, C., Gwyther, R., Rushton, A., Puloka, V., … Kvalsvig, A., & Baker, M. G. (2022). The lived experience of hotel isolation and quarantine at the Aotearoa New Zealand border for COVID-19: A qualitative descriptive study. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 70, 102779. doi: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102779

Journal - Research Article

Kvalsvig, A., Telfar Barnard, L., Summers, J., & Baker, M. G. (2022). Integrated prevention and control of seasonal respiratory infections in Aotearoa New Zealand: Next steps for transformative change. Policy Quarterly, 18(1), 44-51. doi: 10.26686/pq.v18i1.7500

Journal - Research Article

Bentley, R., Simons, K., Kvalsvig, A., Milne, B., & Blakely, T. (2021). Short-run effects of poverty on asthma, ear infections and health service use: Analysis of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. International Journal of Epidemiology, 50(5), 1526-1539. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyab059

Journal - Research Article

Choi, K., Giridharan, N., Cartmell, A., Lum, D., Signal, L., Puloka, V., Crossin, R., Gray, L., Davies, C., Baker, M., & Kvalsvig, A. (2021). Life during lockdown: A qualitative study of low-income New Zealanders' experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1538), 52-67. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Article

Goldfeld, S., Moreno-Betancur, M., Guo, S., Mensah, F., O'Connor, E., Gray, S., … Kvalsvig, A., … O'Connor, M. (2021). Inequities in children's reading skills: The role of home reading and preschool attendance. Academic Pediatrics, 21(6), 1046-1054. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2021.04.019

Journal - Research Article

Gray, L., Rose, S. B., Stanley, J., Zhang, J., Tassell-Matamua, N., Puloka, V., Kvalsvig, A., … Murton, S. A., … Baker, M. G. (2021). Factors influencing individual ability to follow physical distancing recommendations in Aotearoa New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemic: A population survey. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 51(Suppl. 1), S107-S126. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2021.1879179

Journal - Research Article

Grout, L., Katar, A., Ouakrim, D. A., Summers, J. A., Kvalsvig, A., Baker, M. G., Blakely, T., & Wilson, N. (2021). Failures of quarantine systems for preventing COVID-19 outbreaks in Australia and New Zealand. Medical Journal of Australia, 215(7), 320-324. doi: 10.5694/mja2.51240

Journal - Research Article

Kvalsvig, A., & Baker, M. G. (2021). How Aotearoa New Zealand rapidly revised its Covid-19 response strategy: Lessons for the next pandemic plan. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 51(1), S143-S166. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2021.1891943

Journal - Research Article

Shackleton, N., Li, E., Gibb, S., Kvalsvig, A., Baker, M., Sporle, A., … Milne, B. J. (2021). The relationship between income poverty and child hospitalisations in New Zealand: Evidence from longitudinal household panel data and Census data. PLoS ONE, 16(1), e0243920. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243920

Journal - Research Article

Gray, L., MacDonald, C., Tassell-Matamua, N., Stanley, J., Kvalsvig, A., Zhang, J., Murton, S., … Puloka, V., … Baker, M. G. (2020). Wearing one for the team: Views and attitudes to face covering in New Zealand/Aotearoa during COVID-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown. Journal of Primary Health Care, 12(3), 199-206. doi: 10.1071/HC20089

Journal - Research Article

Wilson, N., Boyd, M., Kvalsvig, A., Chambers, T., & Baker, M. (2020). Public health aspects of the Covid-19 response and opportunities for the post-pandemic era. Policy Quarterly, 16(3), 20-24.

Journal - Research Article

O'Connor, M., Cloney, D., Kvalsvig, A., & Goldfeld, S. (2019). Positive mental health and academic achievement in elementary school: New evidence from a matching analysis. Educational Researcher, 48(4), 205-216. doi: 10.3102/0013189x19848724

Journal - Research Article

Goldfeld, S., O'Connor, M., Chong, S., Gray, S., O'Connor, E., Woolfenden, S., … Kvalsvig, A., & Badland, H. (2018). The impact of multidimensional disadvantage over childhood on developmental outcomes in Australia. International Journal of Epidemiology, 47(5), 1485-1496. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyy087

Journal - Research Article

Oliver, J., Foster, T., Kvalsvig, A., Williamson, D. A., Baker, M. G., & Pierse, N. (2018). Risk of rehospitalisation and death for vulnerable New Zealand children. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 103(4), 327-334. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2017-312671

Journal - Research Article

Goldfeld, S., Kvalsvig, A., Incledon, E., & O'Connor, M. (2017). Epidemiology of positive mental health in a national census of children at school entry. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 71(3), 225-231. doi: 10.1136/jech-2015-207061

Journal - Research Article

Dennaoui, K., Nicholls, R. J., O'connor, M., Tarasuik, J., Kvalsvig, A., & Goldfeld, S. (2016). The English proficiency and academic language skills of Australian bilingual children during the primary school years. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 18(2), 157-165. doi: 10.3109/17549507.2015.1060526

Journal - Research Article

Goldfeld, S., O'Connor, M., Quach, J., Tarasuik, J., & Kvalsvig, A. (2015). Learning trajectories of children with special health care needs across the severity spectrum. Academic Pediatrics, 15(2), 177-184. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2014.09.001

Journal - Research Article

Goldfeld, S., Kvalsvig, A., Incledon, E., O'Connor, M., & Mensah, F. (2014). Predictors of mental health competence in a population cohort of Australian children. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 68, 431-437. doi: 10.1136/jech-2013-203007

Journal - Research Article

Kvalsvig, A., O'Connor, M., Redmond, G., & Goldfeld, S. (2014). The unknown citizen: Epidemiological challenges in child mental health. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 68, 1004-1008. doi: 10.1136/jech-2013-203712

Journal - Research Article

O'Connor, M., Howell-Meurs, S., Kvalsvig, A., & Goldfeld, S. (2014). Understanding the impact of special health care needs on early school functioning: A conceptual model. Child: Care, Health & Development, 41(1), 15-22. doi: 10.1111/cch.12164

Journal - Research Article

Baker, M. G., Kvalsvig, A., Zhang, J., Lake, R., Sears, A., & Wilson, N. (2012). Declining Guillain-Barré syndrome after campylobacteriosis control, New Zealand, 1988-2010. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 18(2), 226-233. doi: 10.3201/eid1802.111126

Journal - Research Article

Baker, M. G., Telfar Barnard, L., Kvalsvig, A., Verrall, A., Zhang, J., Keall, M., Wilson, N., … Howden-Chapman, P. (2012). Increasing incidence of serious infectious diseases and inequalities in New Zealand: A national epidemiological study. Lancet, 379(9821), 1112-1119. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(11)61780-7

Journal - Research Article

Grout, L., Gottfreðsson, M., Kvalsvig, A., Baker, M. G., Wilson, N., & Summers, J. (2023). Comparing COVID-19 pandemic health responses in two high-income island nations: Iceland and New Zealand. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/14034948221149143

Journal - Research Other

Kvalsvig, A., Tuari-Toma, B., Timu-Parata, C., Bennett, J., Sinnema, C., Summers, J., Davies, C., Jackson, C., … Telfar Barnard, L., & Baker, M. G. (2023). Protecting school communities from COVID-19 and other infectious disease outbreaks: The urgent need for healthy schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 136(1571), 7-19. Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz/

Journal - Research Other

Baker, M., Kvalsvig, A., Harwood, M., & Wilson, N. (2022). Two years on from the first COVID case, New Zealand's successful pandemic response still faces major challenges. The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/two-years-on-from-the-first-covid-case-new-zealands-successful-pandemic-response-still-faces-major-challenges-177134

Journal - Research Other

Bennett, J., Shorter, C., Kvalsvig, A., Telfar Barnard, L., Wilson, N., Crane, J., Douwes, J., Cunningham, C., … Summers, J., … Baker, M. G., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2022). Indoor air quality, largely neglected and in urgent need of a refresh. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1559), 136-139. Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz

Journal - Research Other

Kvalsvig, A. (2022). As winter bites, NZ urgently needs a COVID action plan for schools: Here's how to do it. The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/as-winter-bites-nz-urgently-needs-a-covid-action-plan-for-schools-heres-how-to-do-it-184728

Journal - Research Other

Kvalsvig, A. (2022). To protect children during Aotearoa's Omicron outbreak, we need to consider their families, not just schools. The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/to-protect-children-during-aotearoas-omicron-outbreak-we-need-to-consider-their-families-not-just-schools-176458

Journal - Research Other

Potter, J. D., & Kvalsvig, A. (2022). Long COVID affects 1 in 5 people following infection. Vaccination, masks and better indoor air are our best protections. The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/long-covid-affects-1-in-5-people-following-infection-vaccination-masks-and-better-indoor-air-are-our-best-protections-180668

Journal - Research Other

Baker, M. G., Kvalsvig, A., Crengle, S., Harwood, M., Tukuitonga, C., Betty, B., … Wilson, N. (2021). The next phase in Aotearoa New Zealand's COVID-19 response: A tight suppression strategy may be the best option. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1546), 8-16. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Other

Bar-Yam, Y., Gurdasani, D., Baker, M. G., Scally, G., George, S., Kvalsvig, A., … Ziauddeen, H. (2021). The World Health Network: a global citizens' initiative. Lancet, 398, 1567-1568. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02246-7

Journal - Research Other

Kvalsvig, A., Wilson, N., Davies, C., Timu-Parata, C., Signal, V., & Baker, M. G. (2021). Expansion of a national Covid-19 alert level system to improve population health and uphold the values of Indigenous peoples. Lancet Regional Health: Western Pacific, 12, 100206. doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2021.100206

Journal - Research Other

Wilson, N., Mansoor, O. D., Boyd, M. J., Kvalsvig, A., & Baker, M. G. (2021). We should not dismiss the possibility of eradicating COVID-19: Comparisons with smallpox and polio. BMJ Global Health, 6, e006810. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006810

Journal - Research Other

Baker, M. G., Kvalsvig, A., & Verrall, A. J. (2020). New Zealand's COVID-19 elimination strategy. Medical Journal of Australia, 213(5), 198-199. doi: 10.5694/mja2.50735

Journal - Research Other

Baker, M. G., Kvalsvig, A., Verrall, A. J., Telfar-Barnard, L., & Wilson, N. (2020). New Zealand's elimination strategy for the COVID-19 pandemic and what is required to make it work. New Zealand Medical Journal, 133(1512), 10-14. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Other

Kvalsvig, A., Summers, J., Gray, L., Telfar Barnard, L., & Baker, M. G. (2020). COVID-19 outbreaks in Aotearoa New Zealand: Urgent action is required to address systematic causes and consequences of border failures. New Zealand Medical Journal, 133(1527), 8-14. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Other

Kvalsvig, A., Wilson, N., Chan, L., Febery, S., Roberts, S., Betty, B., & Baker, M. G. (2020). Mass masking: An alternative to a second lockdown in Aotearoa. New Zealand Medical Journal, 133(1517), 8-13. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Other

Summers, J., Cheng, H.-Y., Lin, H.-H., Telfar Barnard, L., Kvalsvig, A., Wilson, N., & Baker, M. G. (2020). Potential lessons from the Taiwan and New Zealand health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lancet Regional Health: Western Pacific, 4, 100044. doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2020.100044

Journal - Research Other

Wilson, N., Kvalsvig, A., Telfar Barnard, L., & Baker, M. G. (2020). Case-fatality risk estimates for COVID-19 calculated by using a lag time for fatality. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 26(6), 1339-1341. doi: 10.3201/eid2606.200320

Journal - Research Other

Kvalsvig, A., & Baker, M. (2006). New Zealand guidelines for early management of meningococcal disease: Time for revision? [Letter]. New Zealand Medical Journal, 119(1235). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/119-1235/2017/content.pdf

Journal - Research Other

Kvalsvig, A. J., & Unsworth, D. J. (2003). The immunopathogenesis of meningococcal disease [Review]. Journal of Clinical Pathology, 56(6), 417-422.

Journal - Research Other

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