Public Health
Massive growth in vape retailers fuelling youth epidemic
Anti-smoking groups are sounding the alarm at the growing number of vape shops in the country, with 300 new stores opening up since February alone. Kathryn speaks to Letitia Harding, chief executive… Audio
The Week in Detail: Bromley stench, renewable energy and monkeypox
The Detail brings you the issues that matter every weekday. Here's what we covered this week. Audio
Ayesha Verrall knocks them off
When MPs begin their careers most outline hopeful future achievements. Some very hopeful. Few get to start polishing them off inside a year. Video, Audio
Prof David Murdoch: is Covid elimination still achievable?
As of Friday afternoon, more than 70 percent of New Zealanders aged 12 or over had received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, or are booked in to receive it. But as witnessed in Israel, where… Audio
Why the next pandemic could be a potentially deadly fungus
While the world continues to struggle to contain Covid-19, scientists are warning of another coronavirus pandemic on the horizon -- one which is likely to come from a yeast-like fungus. Dr Tom Chiller… Audio
Covid-19 in Peru: 'vaccine' made from guinea pig poop
Kiwi Patrick Emanuel is a pathologist who is based in Lima. We've spoken to him before about the situation with Covid-19 in Peru, and now things are looking bad there with next door neighbours Brazil… Audio
Osteoarthritis a growing concern for New Zealanders
Osteoarthritis is becoming increasingly common in New Zealand due to many factors - including our escalating rates of obesity. Audio
Steph Tan - What is public health?
Steph Tan looks at what some of our biggest public health challenges are and whether a greater focus should be on treatment or prevention. Audio
'Near extinction' of influenza in NZ as numbers drop due to lockdown
Mask wearing and social distancing for Covid-19 has all but cut influenza cases in New Zealand this year, with only six flu isolates detected in this country from April to August. Professor Michael… Audio
Covid-19: Why some men refuse to wear masks
How often throughout the pandemic have you seen a man with a surgical masked pulled down so that it hugs his chin? Several surveys have shown that men are less likely to wear a mask to curb Covid-19… Audio
Philanthropic Kiwi couple giving away more than $50 million
By the time Grant and Marilyn Nelson retire they would have given away more than $50 million. In the 1970s, the pair started a business in a garage which proved to be so successful that in 1995 they… Audio
Covid-19 update with professor Michael Baker
Experts are saying there is a very high chance that Covid-19 will start being transmitted through the community again soon and that it is only a matter of time before NZ goes back to alert level two… Audio
The good and bad of alcohol: 'It's not simple for everyone'
The normalisation of alcohol in virtually every setting and the advertising pitch that it's glamorous is causing damage, says author Lotta Dann. Audio
Study on rabbits reveals the secret to living a longer life
In 1978, a seemingly straightforward experiment involving New Zealand rabbits discovered that kindness made the difference between a heart attack and a healthy heart. It's called the 'rabbit effect'… Audio
Panic-buying hits headlines after first coronavirus case
Authorities and the media alike knew it was just a matter of time before we had our first case of the new coronavirus here. But panic-buying sparked by the breaking news prompted more headlines this…
Coming up
Katherine Eban: Fraud in the generic drug industry
The development of generic drugs has been one of the most important developments for public health, making medicines cheaper and more accessible, especially in developing countries. But what are the… Audio
GP warns another flu pandemic is a certainty
In the wake of the coronavirus out of Wuhan, China, Edinburgh-based GP and writer Dr. Gavin Francis insists we are getting better and better at controlling these things, but he is adamant there will… Audio
Hygiene practices, not masks, key to avoiding viruses
The first suspected case of coronavirus in New Zealand has thankfully tested negative but questions remain about how to keep the virus out of the country. Professor Patricia Priest joins the show to… Audio
Virologist Chris Smith: Wuhan coronavirus latest
With more than 200 deaths and at least 9,000 confirmed cases, countries currently unaffected (including New Zealand) are bracing for the arrival of the disease. Dr Chris Smith, consultant virologist… Audio
Coronavirus is spreading
New Zealand has no plans to screen passengers arriving from China despite the spread of a new viral pneumonia. Four people have now died from the coronavirus and there are now more than 200 cases in… Audio