Public Health Communication Centre
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phcc.bsky.social
Public Health Communication Centre
@phcc.bsky.social
Promoting research, analysis and commentary for a healthier Aotearoa.
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www.phcc.org.nz
Urban cycleways deliver well-documented safety, health, environmental and economic benefits. Evidence from NZ and overseas shows active transport investments often return benefits that far exceed their costs.
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/pub...
Public support for investing in urban cycleways outweighs opposition – National Survey
While more New Zealanders support increasing investment in urban cycleways than oppose it, there remains a substantial proportion of people who are unsure or unengaged on this issue.
www.phcc.org.nz
December 16, 2025 at 3:27 AM
A national survey of 1000+ New Zealanders found more support than opposition for increased investment in urban cycleways (41% vs 35%), with 24% neutral. #PublicHealth www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/pub...
Public support for investing in urban cycleways outweighs opposition – National Survey
While more New Zealanders support increasing investment in urban cycleways than oppose it, there remains a substantial proportion of people who are unsure or unengaged on this issue.
www.phcc.org.nz
December 15, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Asbestos in children’s play sand is a first for NZ and the health risk is still unclear. Experts say exposed children need long-term monitoring. #PublicHealth
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/asb...
Asbestos-contaminated children’s play sand: Assessing, mitigating and preventing the risk
Asbestos contamination of children’s play sand calls for a robust risk assessment and stronger product testing at the border.
www.phcc.org.nz
December 10, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Alcohol is involved in 46% of male-perpetrated intimate partner homicides. Reducing availability is an evidence-based way to prevent violent victimisation.
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/sea...
Seasonal rises in alcohol-related harm and violence against women
Alcohol’s role in intensifying violence against women in Aotearoa is outlined in this Briefing, which calls for gender-responsive, Te Tiriti-grounded alcohol harm-reduction to support safer and more e...
www.phcc.org.nz
December 9, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Alcohol plays a major role in violence against women in Aotearoa, contributing to more than half of physical and sexual assaults and a third of family violence cases. Gender-responsive alcohol harm reduction is needed to support safer environments.
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/sea...
December 8, 2025 at 10:16 PM
NZ Health Survey shows more than 500,000 daily vapers with persistent inequities by age and deprivation. More evaluation and enforcement of recent regulatory changes is needed. @predwards.bsky.social
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/vap...
Vaping prevalence and trends: Findings from the 2024-25 NZ Health Survey
Daily vaping remained high in 2024–25, particularly among young people, Māori, Pacific peoples and those in more deprived areas. The effects of recent regulations will require monitoring.
www.phcc.org.nz
December 2, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Reposted by Public Health Communication Centre
Worried about how big $$ influences alcohol policy? You should be.

Check out our briefing @phcc.bsky.social today that shows:
▶️ alcohol more harmful than we thought
▶️ low-risk advice needs to be reviewed
▶️ #BigAlcohol lobbying is influencing our policy makers
November 30, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Over half a million New Zealanders were vaping daily in 2024–25, and vaping remained highest among young people, Māori, Pacific peoples, and those in more deprived areas. @predwards.bsky.social www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/vap...
Vaping prevalence and trends: Findings from the 2024-25 NZ Health Survey
Daily vaping remained high in 2024–25, particularly among young people, Māori, Pacific peoples and those in more deprived areas. The effects of recent regulations will require monitoring.
www.phcc.org.nz
December 2, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Aotearoa NZ’s low-risk drinking advice has not been updated since 2011. Researchers say the current review must be protected from vested interests to ensure it reflects current evidence. #alcoholawareness www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/rec...
Reconsidering our low-risk alcohol advice: The dark influence of the alcohol industry
Aotearoa’s low-risk drinking guidelines are under review, but the process is at risk of alcohol industry influence that could undermine the growing evidence showing harm even at low levels of consumpt...
www.phcc.org.nz
December 1, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Researchers warn New Zealand’s review of its low-risk drinking advice is vulnerable to alcohol industry influence. Strong safeguards are needed to ensure the process reflects independent evidence. #alcoholawareness
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/rec...
Reconsidering our low-risk alcohol advice: The dark influence of the alcohol industry
Aotearoa’s low-risk drinking guidelines are under review, but the process is at risk of alcohol industry influence that could undermine the growing evidence showing harm even at low levels of consumpt...
www.phcc.org.nz
November 30, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Most NZ teens start social media between ages 10 and 13, a period critical for brain development and emotional regulation. #publichealth www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/pro...
Problematic social media use common among NZ teens as government examines age limits
New survey findings show that problematic social media use is common among NZ teens and many support setting a minimum access age of 16 years.
www.phcc.org.nz
November 20, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Nearly 1 in 4 NZ teens meet criteria for problematic social media use and over a third fall into a risky category according to new survey. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/pro...
Problematic social media use common among NZ teens as government examines age limits
New survey findings show that problematic social media use is common among NZ teens and many support setting a minimum access age of 16 years.
www.phcc.org.nz
November 19, 2025 at 8:34 PM
"Will this government listen? Will they realise we are killing too many people at work, and making too many people sick because of work, and it's costing us $5.5 billion a year."

omny.fm/shows/the-fr...
NZ is still killing too many workers - The Front Page
15 years ago, 29 men went to work and never returned home. The Pike River mine explosion shocked New Zealand and the world, prompting three inquiries, a new regulator and new laws. But new research ...
omny.fm
November 18, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Diet-related disease is rising in NZ and the food system plays a major role. The Briefing sets out how better policy settings could create healthier food environments. #foodsystems www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/ref...
Reframing the narrative: A call for a human rights-centred food system in Aotearoa
Aotearoa’s food system must be redesigned to prioritise health, equity, and access to nutritious food.
www.phcc.org.nz
November 18, 2025 at 1:29 AM
NZ produces high-quality food yet many households still struggle to afford healthy options. This Briefing examines how trade-driven settings shape our diets and what systemic changes could strengthen food security. #foodsecurity
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/ref...
Reframing the narrative: A call for a human rights-centred food system in Aotearoa
Aotearoa’s food system must be redesigned to prioritise health, equity, and access to nutritious food.
www.phcc.org.nz
November 17, 2025 at 9:28 PM
"We should follow ...other countries to better protect the lives and wellbeing of our workers and also boost productivity. We owe the 29 Pike River miners this much." www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/fif...
Fifteen years after Pike River: Time for leadership on workplace health and safety
Aotearoa’s workplace health and safety record has seen little improvement since Pike River. We need stronger leadership and better enforcement to reduce harm and improve outcomes.
www.phcc.org.nz
November 13, 2025 at 11:46 PM
“No-one can be assured that they are protected in their workplace. I know how hard it is to lose a loved one – no-one should be killed in their workplace.”
@stuff.co.nz www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3608...
Fifteen years on from Pike River, New Zealand is still failing workers, experts say
Some relatives of the 2010 mining tragedy are fighting against health and safety legislation being “watered down” by the Government.
www.thepress.co.nz
November 13, 2025 at 8:21 PM
15 years on from Pike River, NZ still records 2x the workplace deaths of Australia and 4x the UK per capita. System-level reform in workplace health and safety is needed. #publichealth
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/fif...
Fifteen years after Pike River: Time for leadership on workplace health and safety
Aotearoa’s workplace health and safety record has seen little improvement since Pike River. We need stronger leadership and better enforcement to reduce harm and improve outcomes.
www.phcc.org.nz
November 13, 2025 at 8:16 PM
NZ’s ranking for protection from tobacco industry interference has fallen dramatically from 2nd to 53rd in global ranking, with repealed smokefree laws and a tax cut for heated tobacco products noted as key factors. @janethoek.bsky.social

tinyurl.com/yfek4fwm
Aotearoa plummets from 2nd to 53rd in Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index ranking
Recent policy changes have led to a dramatic drop in NZ’s global ranking for tobacco interference protection.
tinyurl.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:09 PM
"If there is a coherent throughline to the totality of the Government’s climate policies, it can only be a willingness to
increase New Zealand’s contribution to global warming."
newsroom.co.nz/2025/11/07/g...
Govt's climate strategy: Let it burn
Comment: The Government has relentlessly pursued policies that boost climate pollution – even if they cost more or jeopardise NZ's reputation, Marc Daalder writes
newsroom.co.nz
November 9, 2025 at 10:51 PM
New research shows people entering public housing in Aotearoa #NZ have far higher levels of need than those receiving the Accommodation Supplement, highlighting the importance of maintaining and expanding public housing. #PublicHealth
www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/pub...
Public housing serves those with the greatest need—contrary to Government’s review claims
New research shows people living in public housing have higher levels of need than those receiving the Accommodation Supplement, contradicting the findings of a government-commissioned report.
www.phcc.org.nz
October 29, 2025 at 1:00 AM
New research finds that people entering public housing in Aotearoa have far higher levels of need than those receiving the Accommodation Supplement, contrary to govt-commissioned report. tinyurl.com/uy8h4x3h
Public housing serves those with the greatest need—contrary to Government’s review claims
New research shows people living in public housing have higher levels of need than those receiving the Accommodation Supplement, contradicting the findings of a government-commissioned report.
tinyurl.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:26 PM
New research shows exclusion/elimination strategies achieved the lowest Covid-19 mortality internationally, with no consistent evidence of economic disadvantage. #PublicHealth

www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/gre...
The great divide: How different Covid-19 control strategies shaped pandemic outcomes
New research shows that internationally, jurisdictions that adopted exclusion/elimination strategies achieved dramatically lower Covid-19 mortality during the critical 2020-21 period without clear eco...
www.phcc.org.nz
October 21, 2025 at 8:16 PM