New Zealand’s WWI veterans had persisting higher risk of early death – study
Wednesday, 17 December 2014 10:05am
New research on the impact of the First World War on participating New Zealand soldiers shows they typically lost around eight years of life and had an increased risk of early death in the post-war period.
Otago researchers join new global Urban Health and Wellbeing Programme
Tuesday, 16 December 2014 1:59pm
New Zealand researchers are adding their expertise in housing and health to a newly launched global consortium of science and health organisations known as the Urban Health and Wellbeing Programme.
Wednesday, 3 December 2014 12:44pm
Otago housing and health researchers win Prime Minister’s Science Prize
Tuesday, 2 December 2014 4:32pm
The internationally acclaimed housing and health research team at the University of Otago, Wellington, has won the 2014 Prime Minister’s Science Prize, valued at $500,000.
Influenza estimated to kill about 400 New Zealanders each year
Monday, 24 November 2014 9:49am
New Zealand has an average of 401 influenza-associated deaths each year according to estimates published for the first time.
Postgraduate programme in Public Health enters new era
Thursday, 13 November 2014 9:10am
The Wellington campus recently celebrated University of Otago’s restructured postgraduate Public Health programmes with a colourful and well-attended launch event on the Capital’s waterfront.
Memorandum of Agreement acknowledges important and enduring relationship
Wednesday, 12 November 2014 9:25am
The signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between Kōkiri Marae Seaview and Tū Kotahi Māori Asthma Trust and the University of Otago next week will formalise a relationship that began more than 30 years ago.
Intriguing story of life and death
Tuesday, 21 October 2014 9:02am
The fact that we’re living longer is well-known. But few are aware just how dramatic the changes in mortality have been in the last century. It’s a topic that has long captured the imagination of Wellington campus epidemiologist Professor Tony Blakely, and one that is explored in-depth in a book he has co-written with Auckland University Professor of epidemiology and biostatistics Alistair Woodward.
Tuesday, 21 October 2014 3:52pm
Low-risk prostate cancer patients will benefit from active surveillance guidelines
Wednesday, 15 October 2014 11:17am
New guidelines for active surveillance of prostate cancer will improve health outcomes for those with low grade diagnoses, according to two University of Otago, Wellington (UOW) experts who had input in to the international recommendations.
Exploring health impacts of war through art
Tuesday, 14 October 2014 9:11am
Centennial events around the world have heightened public interest in the First World War. For health professionals and students in particular, that interest provides an opportunity to reflect on the health impacts of war. Some of the University’s Wellington campus researchers have chosen art as one medium to do so, distilling numerous artworks relating to the First Word War down to 10 that collectively convey the broadest range of war-related health impacts.
World-first study proves low-cost home modifications prevent falls
Tuesday, 23 September 2014 10:59am
Falls in the home could be reduced by a quarter according to the results of a new study just published online in top international medical journal The Lancet.
Monday, 22 September 2014 11:03am
Learning science in te reo Māori
Thursday, 18 September 2014 12:51pm
The University of Otago, Wellington (UOW) Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine recently hosted Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Mokopuna for two days of science, in an exciting initiative aimed at exposing year 9 to 13 Kura students to science not usually offered at their school.
Renters need assistance to improve poor housing conditions - study
Thursday, 18 September 2014 11:46am
Renters are living in poorer conditions than homeowners and are less empowered to improve their housing situation according to a study by medical students at the University of Otago, Wellington.
Study highlights flaw in tobacco industry’s “informed adult choice” stance
Monday, 15 September 2014 11:09am
Flaws in the tobacco industry’s argument that smokers exercise “informed adult choice” when they start smoking have been highlighted in new study.
Monday, 15 September 2014 9:58am
Science Challenge 11 funding a breakthrough for predominantly-urban New Zealand
Monday, 8 September 2014 2:53pm
The Government’s announcement of funding for Science Challenge 11 is welcome recognition that New Zealand is now predominantly an urban country, says the New Zealand Centre for Sustainable Cities.
9 September 2014 Media Release
Monday, 8 September 2014 1:00pm
Tobacco taxes important, but new approaches also needed – study
Wednesday, 3 September 2014 2:33pm
A just-published study suggests tobacco tax increases will need to be supplemented with other new approaches if New Zealand’s Smokefree 2025 goal is to be achieved.
Political parties to be questioned on needs of children
Wednesday, 3 September 2014 9:57am
Political party representatives will be asked to outline their policies in three key areas relating to the needs of children at a public forum being hosted this Friday by the University of Otago, Wellington (UOW).
Study on causes of rheumatic fever gets underway in Auckland
Monday, 1 September 2014 10:04am
A study to identify and better understand risk factors for rheumatic fever – one of New Zealand’s most mysterious and serious illnesses – starts recruiting participants in Auckland this week.
Many drinks children associate with sport are largely unhealthy - study
Friday, 8 August 2014 11:47am
Urgent action is needed to help children and parents make healthier choices when it comes to the drinks children consume when playing sport, say University of Otago, Wellington researchers.
More political momentum needed to achieve Smokefree 2025 goal
Wednesday, 23 July 2014 11:24am
New research published in the New Zealand Medical Journal by ASPIRE 2025 researchers suggests the Government’s goal to achieve a Smokefree New Zealand by 2025 may be failing to gather the political momentum needed to ensure it is achieved.
Wellington’s street-connecting walkways could be better - study
Wednesday, 23 July 2014 11:20am
Graffiti, litter, and insufficient lighting and signage on Wellington’s street-connecting walkways are likely to be discouraging their use, researchers say.
Improving prepayment electricity schemes could benefit households
Monday, 21 July 2014 11:49am
As power prices continue in an upward trend as reported in the latest Consumer Price Index, a new study shows households looking to find ways to make savings could benefit from using prepayment metering.
HRC 2015 funding round: Pacific roadshows
Tuesday, 15 July 2014 2:39pm
The HRC has organised a series of roadshows tailored specifically for students looking at applying for a HRC Pacific health research grant. See the below for dates, times and locations.
HPV vaccination for school boys not yet cost-effective – study
Monday, 14 July 2014 12:11pm
HPV vaccination of New Zealand school boys is not yet a value-for-money option, according to a study just published by the University of Otago, Wellington.
Successful community action – but smokefree car law
still needed to protect children
Friday, 4 July 2014 9:05am
Newly-published research shows the potential for community campaigns to reduce smoking in cars, but legislation is still critical to ensure children are protected the authors say.
Decline in funding for mass media campaigns undermines smokefree 2025 goal
Wednesday, 25 June 2014 11:43am
A steady decline in funding for mass media campaigns to promote smoking reduction is undermining the Government’s goal to achieve a smokefree New Zealand by 2025, warn ASPIRE 2025 researchers.
Thyroid cancer risk in New Zealand highest among Pacific women
Friday, 6 June 2014 4:14pm
Just-published research shows Pacific women have the highest rates of thyroid cancer in New Zealand.
Smoking cessation trial prompts call for subsidies on wider range of quit therapies
Thursday, 29 May 2014 9:24am
Community smoking-cessation workers are calling for the government to subsidise a wider range of nicotine replacement therapies so that smokers can afford to use products that are proving to be more popular and effective for those trying to quit.
Medical conditions add to premature mortality risk of people with mental illness
Friday, 23 May 2014 9:20am
People using mental health services in New Zealand are dying prematurely from both natural and external causes, a new University of Otago Wellington study has revealed.
Study provides new insights in to health system cost of living and dying in New Zealand
Friday, 2 May 2014 10:45am
A just-published study showing how public spending on health varies by age and proximity to death raises interesting questions about the best use of taxpayer funds, the authors say.
Pregnant Māori teens let down by system despite positive health-seeking behaviour
Friday, 2 May 2014 10:13am
A new study dispels the myth that young pregnant Māori women delay access to antenatal care in their first trimester.
Mall therapy a hit, but cost still a barrier
Tuesday, 29 April 2014 10:18am
A novel trial that offers smokers the chance to try nicotine replacement therapies through kiosks in community locations is offering ongoing discounts on the most popular products to help people stick with their decision to quit.
Anti-cancer vaccine proves cost effective: but coverage needs improving
Tuesday, 15 April 2014 1:12pm
The New Zealand Government’s investment in HPV vaccination for girls is a “good value-for-money” way to protect health, a just-published study by the University of Otago Wellington (UOW) shows.
Study of 1000s of NZ fruit & vege prices shows markets best value
Tuesday, 25 March 2014 2:10pm
A family of four could save as much as $49 per week by buying their fruit and vegetables at markets other than from a supermarket, a University of Otago Wellington study shows.
Distance aviation medicine class "very close"
Friday, 7 March 2014 11:40am
Dr Benjapol Engkaninan’s childhood dream for an aerospace-related career was reignited when he began working with three aviation physicians in Thailand, inspiring him to enroll at Otago in the world’s leading distance course in aviation medicine.
30 courses - 3 weeks - Otago's Public Health Summer School in Wellington
Friday, 7 March 2014 3:31pm
Find out about the University of Otago Public Health Summer School held in Wellington in 2017.
High level of smoking around others at bus stops - study
Wednesday, 5 March 2014 10:11am
A study of bus stops in the Wellington Region has identified high levels of smoking around other people and high levels of butt littering.
Smokers respond to spur of the moment chance to quit
Monday, 24 February 2014 11:20am
A novel trial that has been underway for a month at Queensgate mall in Lower Hutt has seen 256 smokers take up the chance to try nicotine replacement therapy on the spur of the moment.
Good intentions, but inadequate sun protection practices at early childhood centres - study
Friday, 14 February 2014 4:34pm
Inadequate sun protection policies and practices at early childhood centres (ECCs) in New Zealand could be putting children at risk of skin cancer later in life, a new study shows.
Skin reactions during radiation therapy preventable: new finding
Thursday, 13 February 2014 9:53am
Severe skin reactions during radiation therapy could be prevented by applying a thin transparent silicone dressing to the skin from the first day of treatment, a clinical trial shows.
Roll-your-owns less natural and at least as harmful as tailor-made cigarettes
Wednesday, 12 February 2014 8:59am
Poorer smokers may favour “roll your own” and many falsely believe that use of loose tobacco is less dangerous than factory-made cigarettes, according to a University of Otago public health researcher writing in the British Medical Journal.
Severe illness in pregnancy preventable in many cases
Friday, 7 February 2014 9:56am
As many as 40% of cases where pregnant women are admitted to intensive care units due to severe illness are potentially preventable, according to University of Otago Wellington researchers.
Study prompts call for ban on manipulative junk food advertising to children
Friday, 7 February 2014 9:25am
A ban on manipulative junk food advertising to children is urgently needed to help fight increasing rates of childhood obesity, say University of Otago Wellington researchers.
Māori leaders join together to inspire new suicide prevention approaches in wake of latest figures
Tuesday, 4 February 2014 3:25pm
Māori, Pacific and indigenous leaders will next week join youth workers, teachers, community activists and others at a Wellington symposium to examine and inspire new approaches to Māori, Pacific and indigenous suicide prevention.
University of Otago trial takes help directly to smokers
Wednesday, 15 January 2014 3:01pm
A novel trial which offers smokers the chance to try nicotine replacement therapy on the spur of the moment as they go about their daily lives has started in Wellington.
