BSc (Maths and Stats), MSc (Statistics), PhD
Research Associate Professor
Deputy Director of He Kainga Oranga/Housing and Health Research Programme
Contact details
Tel 64 4 918 6853
Fax 64 4 389 5319
Email nevil.pierse@otago.ac.nz
Research interests and activities
Associate Professor Nevil Pierse is Deputy Director of He Kainga Oranga/Housing and Health Research Programme. Originally a statistician by training, his current work is done in partnership with a wide variety of stakeholders including government and community organisations, and is focused on the design and implementation of randomised trials in the home and community.
His previous studies have shown the benefits of efficient home heating and insulation, which was instrumental in the $300 Million EECA, Warm Up New Zealand, Heat Smart programme. Nevil’s other previous work includes the HRC funded Home Injury Prevention Intervention, which showed that simple home repairs and modification reduced the number of falls in homes by 27%. He was part of the group awarded the 2014 NZ Prime Ministers Prize for Science. He is currently working on the SHELTHER study which looks at home interventions to prevent rehospitalisation of children with respiratory disease. Nevil current leads the 'Ending Homelessness in New Zealand: Housing First' MBIE funded research programme.
Publications
Walker, G. J., Stelzer-Braid, S., Shorter, C., Honeywill, C., Wynn, M., Willenborg, C., Barnes, P., Kang, J., Pierse, N., Crane, J., Howden-Chapman, P., & Rawlinson, W. (2019). Viruses associated with acute respiratory infection in a community-based cohort of healthy NZ children. Journal of Medical Virology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/jmv.25493
Chisholm, E., Pierse, N., Davies, C., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2019). Promoting health through housing improvements, education and advocacy: Lessons from staff involved in Wellington's Healthy Housing Initiative. Health Promotion Journal of Australia. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/hpja.247
Prasad, N., Trenholme, A. A., Huang, Q. S., Thompson, M. G., Pierse, N., Widdowson, M. A., … and SHIVERS team. (2018). Interactive effects of age and respiratory virus on severe lower respiratory infection. Epidemiology & Infection, 146(4), 1861-1869. doi: 10.1017/s0950268818002017
Oliver, J., Foster, T., Williamson, D. A., Pierse, N., & Baker, M. G. (2018). Using preceding hospital admissions to identify children at risk of developing acute rheumatic fever. Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health, 54(5), 499-505. doi: 10.1111/jpc.13786
Shorter, C., Crane, J., Pierse, N., Barnes, P., Kang, J., Wickens, K., … Stanley, T., … Howden-Chapman, P., and the Wellington Research General Practicioner Research Network. (2018). Indoor visible mold and mold odour are associated with new-onset childhood wheeze in a dose-dependent manner. Indoor Air, 28(1), 6-15. doi: 10.1111/ina.12413
Chapter in Book - Research
Howden-Chapman, P., Chisholm, E., Telfar Barnard, L., Viggers, H., O'Sullivan, K., Bennett, J., Bierre, S., Preval, N., Randal, E., Tiatia, R., Ombler, J., Amore, K., Rivera-Muñoz, G., … Davies, C., Aspinall, C., Oliver, J., Baker, M., Keall, M., … Crane, J., & Pierse, N. (2017). Housing, energy and health in resilient cities. In P. Howden-Chapman, L. Early & J. Ombler (Eds.), Cities in New Zealand: Preferences, patterns and possibilities. (pp. 95-106). Wellington, New Zealand: Steele Roberts Aotearoa.
Journal - Research Article
Walker, G. J., Stelzer-Braid, S., Shorter, C., Honeywill, C., Wynn, M., Willenborg, C., Barnes, P., Kang, J., Pierse, N., Crane, J., Howden-Chapman, P., & Rawlinson, W. (2019). Viruses associated with acute respiratory infection in a community-based cohort of healthy NZ children. Journal of Medical Virology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/jmv.25493
Chisholm, E., Pierse, N., Davies, C., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2019). Promoting health through housing improvements, education and advocacy: Lessons from staff involved in Wellington's Healthy Housing Initiative. Health Promotion Journal of Australia. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/hpja.247
Prasad, N., Trenholme, A. A., Huang, Q. S., Thompson, M. G., Pierse, N., Widdowson, M. A., … and SHIVERS team. (2018). Interactive effects of age and respiratory virus on severe lower respiratory infection. Epidemiology & Infection, 146(4), 1861-1869. doi: 10.1017/s0950268818002017
Shorter, C., Crane, J., Pierse, N., Barnes, P., Kang, J., Wickens, K., … Stanley, T., … Howden-Chapman, P., and the Wellington Research General Practicioner Research Network. (2018). Indoor visible mold and mold odour are associated with new-onset childhood wheeze in a dose-dependent manner. Indoor Air, 28(1), 6-15. doi: 10.1111/ina.12413
Oliver, J., Foster, T., Williamson, D. A., Pierse, N., & Baker, M. G. (2018). Using preceding hospital admissions to identify children at risk of developing acute rheumatic fever. Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health, 54(5), 499-505. doi: 10.1111/jpc.13786
Kristono, G. A., Shorter, C., Pierse, N., Crane, J., & Siebers, R. (2018). Endotoxin, cat and house dust mite allergens in electrostatic cloths and bedroom dust. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Hygiene, 1-22. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/15459624.2018.1536827
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
Thompson, M. G., Pierse, N., Huang, Q. S., Prasad, N., Duque, J., Newbern, E. C., Baker, M. G., … on behalf of the SHIVERS investigation team, including Williamson, D. A. (2018). Influenza vaccine effectiveness in preventing influenza-associated intensive care admissions and attenuating severe disease among adults in New Zealand 2012–2015. Vaccine, 36(39), 5916-5925. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.07.028
Berry, M. J., Foster, T., Rowe, K., Robertson, O., Robson, B., & Pierse, N. (2018). Gestational age, health, and educational outcomes in adolescents. Pediatrics, 142(5), e20181016. doi: 10.1542/peds.2018-1016
Jack, S. J., Williamson, D. A., Galloway, Y., Pierse, N., Zhang, J., Oliver, J., … Baker, M. G. (2018). Primary prevention of rheumatic fever in the 21st century: Evaluation of a national programme. International Journal of Epidemiology, dyy150. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyy150
Doyle, H., Pierse, N., Tiatia, R., Williamson, D., Baker, M., & Crane, J. (2018). The effect of the oral probiotic Streptococcus salivarius (K12) on Group A streptococcus pharyngitis: A pragmatic trial in schools. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 37(7), 619-623. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000001847
Bennett, J., Davy, P., Trompetter, B., Wang, Y., Pierse, N., Boulic, M., … Howden-Chapman, P. (2018). Sources of indoor air pollution at a New Zealand urban primary school: A case study. Atmospheric Pollution Research. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.apr.2018.09.006
Oliver, J., Malliya Wadu, E., Pierse, N., Moreland, N. J., Williamson, D. A., & Baker, M. G. (2018). Group A Streptococcus pharyngitis and pharyngeal carriage: A meta-analysis. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006335
Oliver, J., Pierse, N., Williamson, D. A., & Baker, M. G. (2018). Estimating the likely true changes in rheumatic fever incidence using two data sources. Epidemiology & Infection, 146(2), 265-275. doi: 10.1017/S0950268817002734
Khieu, T. Q. T., Pierse, N., Telfar-Barnard, L. F., Zhang, J., Huang, Q. S., & Baker, M. G. (2017). Modelled seasonal influenza mortality shows marked differences in risk by age, sex, ethnicity and socioeconomic position in New Zealand. Journal of Infection, 75(3), 225-233. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2017.05.017
Keall, M. D., Pierse, N., Howden-Chapman, P., Guria, J., Cunningham, C. W., & Baker, M. G. (2017). Cost—benefit analysis of fall injuries prevented by a programme of home modifications: A cluster randomised controlled trial. Injury Prevention, 23(1), 22-26. doi: 10.1136/injuryprev-2015-041947
Oliver, J. R., Pierse, N., Stefanogiannis, N., Jackson, C., & Baker, M. G. (2017). Acute rheumatic fever and exposure to poor housing conditions in New Zealand: A descriptive study. Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health, 53(4), 358-364. doi: 10.1111/jpc.13421
Rangiwhetu, L., Pierse, N., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2017). Effects of minor household interventions to block draughts on social housing temperatures: A before and after study. Kōtuitui, 12(2), 235-245. doi: 10.1080/1177083X.2017.1372787
Pierse, N., Carter, K., Bierre, S., Law, D., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2016). Examining the role of tenure, household crowding and housing affordability on psychological distress, using longitudinal data. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 70(10), 961-966. doi: 10.1136/jech-2015-206716
Pierse, N., Kelly, H., Thompson, M. G., Bissielo, A., Radke, S., Huang, Q. S., Baker, M. G., Turner, N., on behalf of the SHIVERS investigation team. (2016). Influenza vaccine effectiveness for hospital and community patients using control groups with and without non-influenza respiratory viruses detected, Auckland, New Zealand 2014. Vaccine, 34(4), 503-509. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.11.073
Lane, C. R., Carville, K. S., Pierse, N., & Kelly, H. A. (2016). Seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness estimates: Development of a parsimonious case test negative model using a causal approach. Vaccine, 34(8), 1070-1076. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.01.002
Oliver, J., Baker, M. G., Pierse, N., & Carapetis, J. (2015). Comparison of approaches to rheumatic fever surveillance across Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health. doi: 10.1111/jpc.12969
Khieu, T. Q. T., Pierse, N., Telfar-Barnard, L. F., Huang, Q. S., & Baker, M. G. (2015). Estimating the contribution of influenza to hospitalisations in New Zealand from 1994 to 2008. Vaccine, 33(33), 4087-4092. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.06.080
Oliver, J., Pierse, N., & Baker, M. G. (2015). Estimating rheumatic fever incidence in New Zealand using multiple data sources. Epidemiology & Infection, 143(1), 167-177. doi: 10.1017/s0950268814000296
Keall, M. D., Pierse, N., Howden-Chapman, P., Cunningham, C., Cunningham, M., Guria, J., & Baker, M. G. (2015). Home modifications to reduce injuries from falls in the Home Injury Prevention Intervention (HIPI) study: A cluster-randomised controlled trial. Lancet, 385(9964), 231-238. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61006-0
Myers, J. A., Haney, M. F., Griffiths, R. F., Pierse, N. F., & Powell, D. M. C. (2015). Fatigue in air medical clinicians undertaking high-acuity patient transports. Prehospital Emergency Care, 19(1), 36-43. doi: 10.3109/10903127.2014.936633
Turner, N., Pierse, N., Bissielo, A., Huang, Q. S., Radke, S., Baker, M. G., … on behalf of the SHIVERS investigation team, including Williamson, D. A. (2014). Effectiveness of seasonal trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in preventing influenza hospitalisations and primary care visits in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2013. Eurosurveillance, 19(34), 4.
Turner, N., Pierse, N., Bissielo, A., Huang, Q. S., Baker, M. G., Widdowson, M.-A., … on behalf of the SHIVERS investigation team, including Williamson, D. A. (2014). The effectiveness of seasonal trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in preventing laboratory confirmed influenza hospitalisations in Auckland, New Zealand in 2012. Vaccine, 32, 3687-3693. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.04.013
Turner, N., Pierse, N., Huang, Q. S., Radke, S., Bissielo, A., Thompson, M. G., … on behalf of the SHIVERS investigation team, including Williamson, D. A. (2014). Interim estimates of the effectiveness of seasonal trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in preventing influenza hospitalisations and primary care visits in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2014. Eurosurveillance, 19(42), 20934.
Oliver, J., Pierse, N., & Baker, M. G. (2014). Improving rheumatic fever surveillance in New Zealand: Results of a surveillance sector review. BMC Public Health, 14, 528. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-528
Huang, Q. S., Baker, M., McArthur, C., Roberts, S., Williamson, D., Grant, C., … Pierse, N., … Widdowson, M.-A. (2014). Implementing hospital-based surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections caused by influenza and other respiratory pathogens in New Zealand. Western Pacific Surveillance & Response, 5(2). doi: 10.5365/wpsar.2014.5.1.004
Viggers, H., Howden-Chapman, P., Ingham, T., Chapman, R., Pene, G., Davies, C., … Pierse, N., Wilson, H., Zhang, J., Baker, M., & Crane, J. (2013). Warm homes for older people: Aims and methods of a randomised community-based trial for people with COPD. BMC Public Health, 13, 176. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-176
Pierse, N., Arnold, R., Keall, M., Howden-Chapman, P., Crane, J., Cunningham, M., the Housing, Heating, and Health Study Research Team, including Bennett, J. (2013). Modelling the effects of low indoor temperatures on the lung function of children with asthma. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 67, 918-925. doi: 10.1136/jech-2013-202632
Wu, F. F.-S., Wu, M.-W., Pierse, N., Crane, J., & Siebers, R. (2012). Daily vacuuming of mattresses significantly reduces house dust mite allergens, bacterial endotoxin, and fungal β-glucan. Journal of Asthma, 49(2), 139-143. doi: 10.3109/02770903.2011.654023
Kamat, A. S., Pierse, N., Devane, P., & Mutimer, J. (2012). Redefining the cast index: The optimum technique to reduce redisplacement in pediatric distal forearm fractures. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 32(8), 787-791. doi: 10.1097/BPO.0b013e318272474d
Gillespie-Bennett, J., Pierse, N., Wickens, K., Crane, J., Howden-Chapman, P., and the Housing Heating and Health Study Research Team, including Viggers, H., & Lloyd, B. (2011). The respiratory health effects of nitrogen dioxide in children with asthma. European Respiratory Journal, 38, 303-309. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00115409
Preval, N., Chapman, R., Pierse, N., Howden-Chapman, P., the Housing, Heating, and Health Study Research Team, including Gillespie-Bennett, J. (2010). Evaluating energy, health and carbon co-benefits from improved domestic space heating: A randomised community trial. Energy Policy, 38(8), 3965-3972. doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2010.03.020
Wu, F. F.-S., Wu, M.-W., Chang, C.-F., Lai, S.-M., Pierse, N., Crane, J., & Siebers, R. (2010). Endotoxin and β-(1,3)-glucan levels in automobiles: A pilot study. Annals of Agricultural & Environmental Medicine, 17(2), 327-330.
Wu, F. F.-S., Chang, C.-F., Wu, M.-W., Pierse, N., & Siebers, R. (2010). Prevalence of macrocytosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. New Zealand Journal of Medical Laboratory Science, 64, 86-87.
Free, S., Howden-Chapman, P., Pierse, N., Viggers, H., the Housing, Heating, and Health Study Research Team, including Nicholls, S., Bennett, J., Shields, D., Lloyd, B., Wickens, K., Baker, M., & Crane, J. (2010). More effective home heating reduces school absences for children with asthma. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 64(5), 379-386. doi: 10.1136/jech.2008.086520
Heyes, J., Siebers, R., Parkes, A., Pierse, N., & Crane, J. (2009). β-(1,3)-glucan levels and its determinants in New Zealand bedrooms. Journal of Asthma, 46(1), 64-66. doi: 10.1080/02770900802478326
Wu, F. F.-S., Siebers, R., Chang, C.-F., Hsieh, S.-W., Wu, M.-W., Chen, C.-Y., Pierse, N., & Crane, J. (2009). Indoor allergens and microbial bio-contaminants in homes of asthmatic children in Central Taiwan. Journal of Asthma, 46(7), 745-749. doi: 10.1080/02770900903082597
Gillespie-Bennett, J., Pierse, N., Wickens, K., Crane, J., Nicholls, S., Shields, D., … Viggers, H., Baker, M., … Howden-Chapman, P. (2008). Sources of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in New Zealand homes: Findings from a community randomized controlled trial of heater substitutions. Indoor Air, 18(6), 521-528. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2008.00554.x
Howden-Chapman, P., Pierse, N., Nicholls, S., Gillespie-Bennett, J., Viggers, H., Cunningham, M., … Free, S., … Lloyd, B., Wickens, K., Shields, D., Baker, M., Cunningham, C., … Crane, J. (2008). Effects of improved home heating on asthma in community dwelling children: Randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 337, 852-855. doi: 10.1136/bmj.a1411
Boulic, M., Fjällström, P., Phipps, R., Cunningham, M., Cleland, D., Pierse, N., Howden-Chapman, P., … Viggers, H., … and the Housing, Heating, and Health Team, including Baker, M., Crane, J., Cunningham, C., Free, S., Gillespie-Bennett, J., Shields, D., & Wickens, K. (2008). Cold homes in New Zealand: Does increasing the heater capacity improve indoor temperatures? Clean Air & Environmental Quality, 42(3), 22-29.
Kulkarni, N., Pierse, N., Rushton, L., & Grigg, J. (2006). Carbon in airway macrophages and lung function in children. New England Journal of Medicine, 355, 21-30.
Pierse, N., Rushton, L., Harris, R. S., Kuehni, C. E., Silverman, M., & Grigg, J. (2006). Locally-generated particulate pollution and respiratory symptoms in young children. Thorax, 61, 216-220.
Journal - Research Other
Shorter, C., Täubel, M., Pierse, N., Douwes, J., Howden-Chapman, P., Hyvärinen, A., & Crane, J. (2016). Objective assessment of domestic mold contamination using quantitative PCR. Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, 137(2), 622-624. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2015.06.039
Siebers, R., Wu, F. F. F., Shorter, C., Pierse, N., & Crane, J. (2015). Effect of repeated freeze/thawing of household dust extracts on β-(1,3)-glucan levels. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Hygiene, 12(1), D1-D3. doi: 10.1080/15459624.2014.963590
