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phcc.bsky.social
Public Health Communication Centre
@phcc.bsky.social
780 followers 350 following 310 posts
Promoting research, analysis and commentary for a healthier Aotearoa.
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www.phcc.org.nz
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phcc.bsky.social
Protection for NZ’s drinking water sources will be significantly weakened under the proposed replacement of the RMA. 🚱 www.phcc.org.nz/news/media-r...
Media release: Drinking water source protection downgraded in proposed RMA replacement
Protection for Aotearoa New Zealand’s drinking water sources would be significantly weakened under the Government’s proposed replacement of the Resource Management Act, based on the Natural Environmen...
www.phcc.org.nz
February 4, 2026 at 11:46 PM
phcc.bsky.social
Sunburn remains particularly common among young adults in NZ, with most 18–24-year-olds reporting at least one sunburn and many experiencing multiple or severe sunburns in a single summer.

www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/hig...
High sunburn rates in Aotearoa: We need more investment in skin cancer prevention
The 2025 National Skin Cancer Survey shows that despite a broad awareness of skin cancer risk, sunburn remains widespread in Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly among young adults.
www.phcc.org.nz
January 19, 2026 at 8:45 PM
phcc.bsky.social
New analysis shows the Global Health Security (GHS) Index predicted Covid-19 mortality for non-island jurisdictions, but not for island nations. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/glo...
www.phcc.org.nz
January 13, 2026 at 8:00 PM
phcc.bsky.social
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
phcc.bsky.social
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
phcc.bsky.social
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
phcc.bsky.social
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
phcc.bsky.social
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
phcc.bsky.social
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
andytowersnz.bsky.social
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
phcc.bsky.social
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
phcc.bsky.social
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
phcc.bsky.social
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
phcc.bsky.social
Smoking quit rates stall in NZ. @janethoek.bsky.social @predwards.bsky.social
#PublicHealth #TobaccoControl

www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/smo...
Smoking prevalence and trends: Important findings from the 2024-25 New Zealand Health Survey
Daily smoking rates in Aotearoa have stalled at about 6.8% for three years, with persistent inequities and widening gender gaps indicating the Smokefree 2025 goal will not be met.
www.phcc.org.nz
November 26, 2025 at 12:33 AM
phcc.bsky.social
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
phcc.bsky.social
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
phcc.bsky.social
You can read more in our Briefing by Dr Chris Peace and co-authors. 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 18, 2025 at 11:23 PM
phcc.bsky.social
"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
phcc.bsky.social
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
phcc.bsky.social
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
phcc.bsky.social
"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
phcc.bsky.social
Read our latest Briefing from workplace health & safety experts who say we are still failing workers 15 years on from Pike River.
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 8:23 PM
phcc.bsky.social
“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
phcc.bsky.social
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
phcc.bsky.social
New Zealand has been labelled "most deteriorated" in an international study assessing the interference of the tobacco industry.

www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
'Most deteriorated' - NZ plummets in global tobacco control ranking
An anti-vaping group calls the ranking an "international disgrace".
www.rnz.co.nz
November 11, 2025 at 8:33 PM