health & science

‘Like sunburn on your lungs’: the health risks

Children, pregnant women and the elderly are the most at risk from extreme weather and heat – but the impact is already felt across every specialty of medicine.

Sep 17 2019

The Guardian

Week in Review

Drilling into the past to predict the future

Climate change is at the centre of a remarkable international drilling operation into Antarctica’s Ross Ice Shelf this summer.

Sep 17 2019

David Williams

Ideasroom

Dementia doesn’t care what age you are

No matter your age, race, religion, gender, or whether you’re rich or poor - there is a chance you may develop dementia.

Sep 19 2019

Dr Brigid Ryan

Week in Review

Anna Rawhiti-Connell: Black dogs, black holes

Anna Rawhiti-Connell drops the euphemisms to explain how she sees her depression as a gift - albeit one she wishes she hadn’t been given.

Sep 18 2019

Anna Rawhiti-Connell

health & science

Cancer plan targets early access to medicines

Pharmac’s model and budget is under intense scrutiny, as the Government prepares to announce its interim cancer action plan.

Aug 20 2019

Laura Walters

Ideasroom

Seminars of vaccine distortion

A group is currently holding seminars around NZ which appear to be based on misinformation about vaccines. Dr Helen Petousis-Harris fact checks some of their claims.

Aug 22 2019

Dr Helen Petousis-Harris

health & science

Lack of transparency over cancer drugs

The debate over cancer drug funding is further complicated by lobby groups and opaque agendas.

Aug 19 2019

Laura Walters

Podcast: The Detail

Drugs, cancer and Big Pharma

How some heartbreaking stories of cancer sufferers who need expensive drugs are helped into the spotlight.

Aug 21 2019

Newsroom Staff and RNZ

Week in Review

Courts no place for fetal alcohol victims

People with fetal alcohol syndrome are still being punished by the criminal justice system, despite the Teina Pora case, writes Emma Espiner

Sep 13 2019

Emma Espiner

Ideasroom

Calls to regulate ‘Heart Attack Alley’ fast food

West Auckland’s Lincoln Road is not only home to more than 34 fast food restaurants, it’s also within walking distance of seven local schools.

Sep 10 2019

Dr Sarah Gerritsen and Michele Eickstaedt

Ideasroom

Tackling a problem that grows with age

Given its ageing population, NZ is expecting a 700 percent increase in joint replacements in the next 15 years. So what can we do?

Sep 09 2019

Dr Thor Besier

health & science

A curious case of fluoride and pregnancy

Advertisements are being seen countrywide claiming a link between fluoride and lower IQ. But scientists are warning people to hold their horses.

Sep 09 2019

Farah Hancock

Ideasroom

Cannabis legalisation and young people

Have under-age children in your life? Chances are you will hold crucial decision-power in NZ’s upcoming referendum on cannabis legalisation.

Sep 06 2019

Benedikt Fischer

Ideasroom

Conflicts of interest a threat to health

Trust in the medical profession requires evidence be safeguarded from distortion by commercial interests. That’s why anyone seeking to influence public policy should have to declare conflicts of interest.

Sep 06 2019

David Menkes

health & science

Helen Clark backs cannabis legalisation

Cannabis is here to stay and the former PM says legalisation is the best way to mitigate risks of the drug.

Sep 04 2019

Laura Walters