Anti-smoking, obesity and alcohol work in Auckland have been dealt a serious blow by Covid-19.
An Auckland Regional Public Health Service report covering July to September shows the huge pressure it's been under because of Covid-19.
Almost two thirds of its staff were diverted to the pandemic response, meaning smoke free work was virtually halted and much of its other normal work drastically reduced.
Auckland University associate professor of public health Collin Tukuitonga says he admires the work the service did when under the huge pressure from Covid-19 - and it was important it responded.
He told RNZ Health Correspondent Rowan Quinn all public health units must be given more help to keep up with all other important work in the long term.
