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    Why public health practitioners and researchers must stop using the term ‘culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD)’
    (CSIRO Publishing, 2025-08-21) Pourmarzi D; Murray L; Zulfiqar T; Kaur G; Olsen A
    The term ‘culturally and linguistically diverse’ (CALD) is used in Australia to describe some groups of migrants. Implicitly, the term defines ‘others’ who are ‘different’ to the dominant normative Australian. The use of the term as standard language in health literature and public discourse has increased dramatically over the past decade. Australians who are labelled as CALD have argued that the term affects their sense of belonging to the Australian community. As public health researchers and practitioners, we must minimise potential risks of harm, maximise health benefits and ensure the rigour of our data collection, analysis and reporting methods. We argue that we must refrain from continuing to use this concept and that there is no need for a new label to categorise some members of our diverse Australian population as ‘others’.
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    Targeted dairy fortification: leveraging bioactive compounds to enhance nutritional value
    (Taylor and Francis Group, 2025-06-30) Bagheri H; Akhavan-Mahdavi S; Sarabi-Aghdam V; Mirarab Razi S; Singh Beniwal A; Rashidinejad A
    Dairy products, rich in nutrients, are crucial for human health and disease prevention. Recent trends focus on enhancing their nutritional value by fortifying them with bioactive compounds from plant and animal sources. Scientific evidence suggests these compounds can improve public health by potentially treating and preventing diseases, including cancer. This systematic review discusses advances in dairy product fortification with health-promoting compounds, highlighting their role in correcting nutritional deficiencies and reducing chronic disease risk. Innovative delivery systems are being developed to improve the stability and functionality of these compounds in fortified dairy products. Despite challenges in maintaining the physical, textural, and sensory qualities of dairy products, fortification is a promising public health strategy. The review calls for interdisciplinary research to better understand the bioavailability, effectiveness, and long-term health impacts of bioactive compounds in dairy foods. Such research could inform best practices and policy recommendations. Using dairy products as carriers for bioactive compounds can significantly improve nutritional status and reduce the global burden of chronic diseases, making it a strategic approach to public health nutrition. This review cautiously evaluates current evidence, particularly regarding chronic disease prevention, and emphasizes the need for further research on specific populations, such as children and the elderly.
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    Genomic diversity of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolates recovered from human and poultry in Australia and New Zealand, 2017 to 2019.
    (Microbiology Society, 2024-11-05) Cribb DM; Biggs PJ; McLure AT; Wallace RL; French NP; Glass K; Kirk MD
    We used genomic and epidemiological data to assess and compare the population structure and origins of Campylobacter, a major foodborne pathogen, in two neighbouring countries with strong trade and cultural links, similar poultry production systems and frequent movement of people and food products. The most common sequence types (STs) differed between Australia and New Zealand, with many unique to each country. Over half of all STs were represented by a single isolate. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) genotypes were detected in 0.8% of all samples, with no MDR isolates detected in poultry. Quinolone and tetracycline resistant ST6964 was prevalent in New Zealand (10.6% of C. jejuni). Closely related isolates suggested some similar food sources or contacts. We have shown that there is little genetic overlap in human and poultry STs of Campylobacter between the countries, which highlights that this common foodborne pathogen has domestic origins in Australia and New Zealand.
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    Addressing the challenges of implementing evidence-based prioritisation in global health.
    (BMJ Publishing Group Ltd, 2023-08-02) Hayman DTS; Barraclough RK; Muglia LJ; McGovern V; Afolabi MO; N'Jai AU; Ambe JR; Atim C; McClelland A; Paterson B; Ijaz K; Lasley J; Ahsan Q; Garfield R; Chittenden K; Phelan AL; Lopez Rivera A; Abimbola S
    Global health requires evidence-based approaches to improve health and decrease inequalities. In a roundtable discussion between health practitioners, funders, academics and policy-makers, we recognised key areas for improvement to deliver better-informed, sustainable and equitable global health practices. These focus on considering information-sharing mechanisms and developing evidence-based frameworks that take an adaptive function-based approach, grounded in the ability to perform and respond to prioritised needs. Increasing social engagement as well as sector and participant diversity in whole-of-society decision-making, and collaborating with and optimising on hyperlocal and global regional entities, will improve prioritisation of global health capabilities. Since the skills required to navigate drivers of pandemics, and the challenges in prioritising, capacity building and response do not sit squarely in the health sector, it is essential to integrate expertise from a broad range of fields to maximise on available knowledge during decision-making and system development. Here, we review the current assessment tools and provide seven discussion points for how improvements to implementation of evidence-based prioritisation can improve global health.
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    Priority Health Needs and Challenges in New Zealand Pacific Communities-A Qualitative Analysis of Healthcare Delivery during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2023-08-09) Reddy R; Sluyter J; Kiadarbandsari A; Ofanoa M; Heather M; Fa'alau F; Nosa V; Younis MZ
    BACKGROUND: The Pacific community in New Zealand experienced an increased risk of COVID-19 transmission due to delayed contact tracing, along with a disproportionate prevalence of health challenges. The community is representative of a diverse population who proudly identify with the vibrant Pacific Island nations of Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Niue, Fiji, etc. Pacific communities in New Zealand face a higher burden of health challenges compared to other groups. These challenges include obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, mental health disorders, respiratory issues, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, disabilities, and chronic conditions. Concerns were raised regarding the oversight of Pacific community views in the initial pandemic response planning. Pacific healthcare professionals expressed concerns about inadequate state support and the need for active involvement in decision making. METHODS: This article reports thematic analyses of text data gained from open-ended questions from a purposive anonymous online survey completed by Pacific healthcare professionals in New Zealand. RESULTS: The participants shared their experiences and opinions, which generated four major themes highlighting priority health needs and challenges. These themes included the necessity for a culturally appropriate healthcare plan, adequate resourcing, addressing discrimination, and emphasising a united and collaborative effort for consistency. The research's limitation is the narrow scope of open-ended questions in the questionnaire survey. However, conducting semi-structured face-to-face interviews can provide more in-depth data and offer further insights beyond the four broad themes identified in the analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The findings can inform the development of future research to provide more in-depth data and offer further insights beyond the four broad themes identified in the analysis. This will help develop future tailored healthcare delivery plans that address specific Pacific community needs.
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    Absence of Cryptosporidium hominis and dominance of zoonotic Cryptosporidium species in patients after Covid-19 restrictions in Auckland, New Zealand
    (Cambridge University Press, 2021-09) Knox MA; Garcia-R JC; Ogbuigwe P; Pita A; Velathanthiri N; Hayman DTS
    Coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19) nonpharmaceutical interventions have proven effective control measures for a range of respiratory illnesses throughout the world. These measures, which include isolation, stringent border controls, physical distancing and improved hygiene also have effects on other human pathogens, including parasitic enteric diseases such as cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidium infections in humans are almost entirely caused by two species: C. hominis, which is primarily transmitted from human to human, and Cryptosporidium parvum, which is mainly zoonotic. By monitoring Cryptosporidium species and subtype families in human cases of cryptosporidiosis before and after the introduction of Covid-19 control measures in New Zealand, we found C. hominis was completely absent after the first months of 2020 and has remained so until the beginning of 2021. Nevertheless, C. parvum has followed its typical transmission pattern and continues to be widely reported. We conclude that ~7 weeks of isolation during level 3 and 4 lockdown period interrupted the human to human transmission of C. hominis leaving only the primarily zoonotic transmission pathway used by C. parvum. Secondary anthroponotic transmission of C. parvum remains possible among close contacts of zoonotic cases. Ongoing 14-day quarantine measures for new arrivals to New Zealand have likely suppressed new incursions of C. hominis from overseas. Our findings suggest that C. hominis may be controlled or even eradicated through nonpharmaceutical interventions.
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    Dairy Cattle Density and Temporal Patterns of Human Campylobacteriosis and Cryptosporidiosis in New Zealand
    (Springer Nature Switzerland AG on behalf of the EcoHealth Alliance, 2022-06-10) Grout L; Marshall J; Hales S; Baker MG; French N
    Public health risks associated with the intensification of dairy farming are an emerging concern. Dairy cattle are a reservoir for a number of pathogens that can cause human illness. This study examined the spatial distribution of dairy cattle density and explored temporal patterns of human campylobacteriosis and cryptosporidiosis notifications in New Zealand from 1997 to 2015. Maps of dairy cattle density were produced, and temporal patterns of disease rates were assessed for urban versus rural areas and for areas with different dairy cattle densities using descriptive temporal analyses. Campylobacteriosis and cryptosporidiosis rates displayed strong seasonal patterns, with highest rates in spring in rural areas and, for campylobacteriosis, summer in urban areas. Increases in rural cases often preceded increases in urban cases. Furthermore, disease rates in areas with higher dairy cattle densities tended to peak before areas with low densities or no dairy cattle. Infected dairy calves may be a direct or indirect source of campylobacteriosis or cryptosporidiosis infection in humans through environmental or occupational exposure routes, including contact with animals or feces, recreational contact with contaminated waterways, and consumption of untreated drinking water. These results have public health implications for populations living, working, or recreating in proximity to dairy farms.
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    Understanding children's perceptions of, and priorities for, healthy neighbourhoods in Aotearoa New Zealand: study protocol for a cross-sectional study
    (BMJ Publishing Group, 2021-06-21) Egli V; Mandic S; Pocock T; Narayanan A; Williams L; Clark T; Spasic L; Wilson A; Witten K; Smith M
    Introduction Neighbourhood environments can have significant and enduring impacts on children’s physical, psychological and social health. Environments can impact health through promoting or hindering physical activity, active travel, and healthy eating in addition to opportunities for social interaction, cognitive development, rest and relaxation. There is a paucity of research that has examined neighbourhood and health priorities, strengths and needs from the perspectives of the community, and even less that has focused on the perspectives of children within communities. The aim of this article is to describe the research protocol for a project to gather child-identified needs and strengths-based solutions for promoting child health and well-being in urban neighbourhood environments. Methods and analysis This participatory research project is designed to partner with children in school settings in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Ōtepoti Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand. An abundant communities approach will be used with children to identify needs and strengths related to neighbourhoods and health. Specific methods including collaborative, creative, play-based methods such as concept-mapping activities and co-creation of final dissemination material on the key messages are described. Plans for researcher reflections, data analysis and dissemination are also detailed. Ethics and dissemination This research has been approved by the University of Auckland Human Participants Ethics Committee. Results will be disseminated through child and researcher co-created output, a technical report and academic journal articles. By using evidence-based child-centred approaches to knowledge generation, we anticipate the research will generate new localised insights about children’s preferences and needs for healthy neighbourhoods which will be shared with stakeholders in planning and practice. The detailed session protocol including critical researcher reflections is shared in this manuscript for application, development and refinement in future research.
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    Lessons from the implementation of residential methamphetamine contamination policies in New Zealand
    (John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs, 2023-03) Sanchez Lozano CD; Wilkins C; Rychert M
    Introduction Methamphetamine contamination of housing has been discussed as a significant issue in New Zealand. However, scientific evidence to determine a threshold level at which health harms occur is inconclusive, resulting in conflicting and changing guidance. The initial strong precautionary policy, with significant unintended impacts on vulnerable public housing tenants, dramatically changed following a scientific review. This study explores the policy response to residential methamphetamine contamination in New Zealand over the past decade. Methods Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 13 key stakeholders involved in policy development/implementation, including those from government, industry, residential housing and academic sectors. Results Consistent application of a methamphetamine contamination threshold for housing has been problematic due to legislative and regulatory gaps. Stakeholders in the residential sector have been influenced by perceptions of methamphetamine contamination as a health risk, political views on drug use, media coverage and the testing industry's business practices. Public housing tenants have faced disadvantages when resolving methamphetamine contamination disputes. The testing industry's participation in committees shaping the regulatory response presents a possible conflict of interest. Wide media coverage heightened public anxiety about the problem but may also have stimulated policy changes to alleviate unintended consequences of the precautionary approach. Discussion and Conclusions New Zealand's fragmented policy response to residential methamphetamine contamination is likely rooted in the lack of scientific evidence, with some key actors further exacerbating the response. Future policy development should seek to produce overarching regulation that guides the whole sector while balancing powers of the stakeholders involved.
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