A new study published in Addiction addresses a gap in understanding around the full scope of alcohol-related harm. It estimates the reduction in healthy years of life lived due to alcohol consumed by another was greater than the impact on the drinker themselves in Aotearoa New Zealand and provides further evidence of the disproportionate impact of alcohol products on Māori. See further detail at Massey News where lead author Sally Casswell discusses the findings.
Professor Chris Wilkins discusses the implications of the return of pseudoephedrine to New Zealand pharmacies in the context of the wider changes identified in the meth market in recent years. TVNZ Breakfast
Funded Māori MA Thesis Scholarship!
MA thesis opportunity in a Marsden funded Māori media project, commencing 2024. Applications close 29 February 2024, 5pm
Please contact: Angela Moewaka Barnes
a.mwakabarnes@massey.ac.nz
Third wave of research bulletins from 2022/23 NZ Drugs Trends Survey (NZDTS) on vaping, medicinal cannabis, cannabis law reform and help seeking released today. Download here:
The second batch of research bulletins from 2022/23 NZ Drugs Trends Survey (NZDTS) on gangs, social media, darknets and victimization have been released today and can be accessed from this link https://shoreandwhariki.ac.nz/nzdts-research-bulletins-2
NZ Drugs Trends survey results released today! NZDTS research bulletins — SHORE & Whariki Research Centre (shoreandwhariki.ac.nz)
A multi-disciplinary team from SHORE & Whāriki have been examining the experiences of tenants and landlords across New Zealand's private rental sector. The findings underscore the diversity of experiences within the sector and the ongoing need to improve tenant wellbeing and ensure access to secure and affordable rental homes.
SHORE & Whariki held a combined 21st birthday and Matariki celebration for current and past team members.
Associate Professor Chris Wilkins and the Drugs Research Team at SHORE & Whariki have been awarded HRC funding for a project on cannabis policy reform. See these links for further information on the project: https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/news/health-researchers-secure-funding-for-projects-with-life-changing-potential/ and https://www.hrc.govt.nz/news-and-events/research-sector-awarded-537-million-tackle-range-health-issues
World leading researchers on regulating the marketing of unhealthy products in the evolving digital ecosystem spoke at a public policy seminar hosted by SHORE & Whariki in October. See the presentations here:
Congratulations to Dr. Denisse Sanchez Lozano, graduating with a doctorate in Public Health from Massey University. Best wishes from her supervisors, Assoc. Professor Chris Wilkins and Dr. Marta Rychert, Well done!
Sally Casswell discusses the issue of how to regulate cross-border alcohol advertising via digital media in an article published in The Conversation today. She describes the emergence of the metaverse, a supersized social media network.
Read more here.
SHORE & Whariki were commissioned by Fire and Emergency NZ to explore the early experiences of their volunteers and understand the key influences on volunteer engagement and retention. See more information here.
The Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs has just published a FastTake by Sally Casswell and Thomas F. Babor on 'The gathering storm: Global alcohol problems and what needs to be done'.
Read more here.
Professor Sally Casswell of the College of Health has recently increased her involvement with the World Health Organization (WHO).
Based at the SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre, Professor Casswell directs a WHO Collaborating Centre and has been reappointed several times as a member of the WHO Expert Panel on Alcohol and Drugs.
Now, Professor Casswell has been invited to join the newly established World Health Organization Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs). NCDs accounted for 74 per cent of deaths globally in 2019 and have been increasing.
She says while the COVID-19 pandemic has diverted attention, NCDs remain a major source of premature mortality and include the ‘predisposing conditions’ of severe effects of COVID infection.
“I don’t look forward to the late-night Zooms but hope I can contribute in part by increasing attention to the need for good alcohol policy. It is recognised as a risk factor for NCDs but has received limited attention,” Professor Casswell says.
Read more here.
A return to Mexico to get married resulted in a 13-month long stint back home for Auckland-based PhD student Denisse Sanchez Lozano.
While she did manage to tie the knot to husband Gerardo, with New Zealand borders closed, the pair found themselves stuck in Mexico for longer than expected after the wedding. Mrs. Sanchez Lozano says she was thankful that she was able to continue working on her PhD while there, though there were challenges such as not having an office and dealing with the Mexican heat.
Read more here.
A Massey University study will investigate the barriers for disabled young people to participate in sport and active recreation.
Dr Penelope Carroll has been awarded a $1.1 million Project Grant from the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) to lead the study.
Disabled youth are known to have lower physical activity levels and are less likely to be involved in sport than non-disabled peers. However research shows being physically active, and remaining so, are vital for physical and mental health and wellbeing across the life span.
Read more here.
Helen Moewaka Barnes is one of the twenty-seven new Ngā Ahurei a Te Apārangi Fellows and Ngā Ahurei Honore a Te Apārangi Honorary Fellows who have been elected to the Academy of the Royal Society Te Apārangi for their distinction in research and advancement of science, technology or the humanities. They are all exceptional leaders in their communities and their areas of research and scholarship.
Three other Massey staff members have also been elected. Details of the announcement can be found here.
Professor Helen Moewaka Barnes, Te Kapotai, Ngāpuhi-nui-tonu, from the SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre, received the 2020 Tū Rangatira mō te Ora Award by the Public Health Association of New Zealand. The award recognises outstanding achievement and leadership in Māori public health.
Read more here.
A public health researcher is calling for an urgent overhaul in the way alcohol is sold online.
New research shows that online alcohol delivery services used during the Covid-19 lockdown in March contributed to heavier drinking and buying drinks without ID was easy.
Dr Taisia Huckle is a senior research officer at Massey University.
Listen to the interview here.