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Accelerated silicosis has recently emerged as a serious occupational health condition mainly affecting people working with artificial... View Article
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Preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection and managing the acute phase of illness has been the central focus of the New Zealand healthcare... View Article
The natural curiosity of young children about their surroundings can sometimes lead to unintentional exposures to hazardous substances... View Article
Measles, mumps and rubella are vaccine-preventable causes of significant morbidity and mortality (particularly for measles), that... View Article
Bowel cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality in New Zealand, second only to lung cancer. Follow-up and surveillance of... View Article
Guidance for following up people who have had polyps identified on colonoscopy and people with inflammatory bowel disease, who... View Article
On 9 April, 2021, the level at which lead absorption becomes a notifiable condition was reduced to 0.24 micromol/L – half the... View Article
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in New Zealand and the leading cause of cancer death. By the time of diagnosis,... View Article
Cyanobacteria, also referred to as blue-green algae, are micro-organisms that live in freshwater and marine environments. Under... View Article
We present a special edition “Case of the week” submitted by Dr Jo Lane and Dr Susan Lane, Waitematā DHB. If you would like to... View Article
This report provides an overview of laboratory prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing in primary care to facilitate reflection,... View Article
Bowel cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer death in New Zealand. Approximately one-quarter of diagnoses are made... View Article
Testing for prostate cancer is a difficult issue as many prostate cancers are low risk and do not necessarily result in adverse... View Article
Carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless and tasteless gas. People exposed to high levels are likely to require emergency management.... View Article
New evidence suggests that a seven-day course of doxycycline may be more appropriate than a stat dose of azithromycin as a first-line... View Article
Mycoplasma genitalium infection is a potential cause of urethritis in males and cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease in... View Article
New Zealand is in the midst of a syphilis epidemic. Men who have sex with men are at the greatest risk, however, cases among heterosexual... View Article
Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) infection provides safe and effective protection from genital warts, most cervical... View Article
Recent evidence shows that levels of alcohol consumption that were previously thought to be relatively safe are associated with... View Article
Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer makes up around 1% of stomach cancer diagnoses, however, Māori in New Zealand are disproportionately... View Article
There are many approved and fully subsidised medicines that clinicians can recommend to smokers who wish to quit. The evidence... View Article
In general, the recommended durations of antibiotic treatment regimens are decreasing as evidence for the safety and efficacy... View Article
The human papillomavirus virus (HPV) vaccine reduces the incidence of HPV-related diseases, including genital warts and cervical... View Article
An electronic notification system has been designed for general practices to report cases of disease and injury related to exposure... View Article
Patient information leaflets (PILs) are now available from the New Zealand Formulary (NZF). View Article
Travel consultations involve assessing the risks that may occur during a journey and helping the traveller minimise them. This... View Article
With winter upon us it is a timely reminder of the importance of implementing strategies to keep older people healthy, independent... View Article
The Ministry of Health has announced that the first shipments of the two subsidised seasonal influenza vaccines for 2015, Influvac... View Article
Providing a safe working environment involves both minimising the risk of transmission of infectious pathogens and dealing with... View Article
Smoking rates are declining in New Zealand as more and more people are successfully quitting. However, rates remain unacceptably... View Article
The current measles outbreak in New Zealand highlights the importance of maintaining high measles mumps and rubella (MMR) immunisation... View Article
In the final instalment of the rural series we present a round-up of infections that may be seen in patients living in, working... View Article
In October, 2013, the New Zealand Laboratory Test Schedule was published to provide consistent guidance and ensure uniform availability... View Article
New Zealand is slowly emerging from its most recent outbreak of pertussis. The highest-risk period for pertussis in infants is... View Article
The vaccine for the 2014 influenza season is now available. This year, the vaccine has been updated with two new strains, as well... View Article
Campylobacter, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium and Giardia cause diarrhoeal illnesses in thousands of people annually in New Zealand.... View Article
Contributed by Dr Chris Walls, Occupational Physician, Auckland View Article
The incidence of SUDI has declined significantly since public prevention campaigns began in New Zealand in the early 1990s. This... View Article
On occasion, General Practitioners will encounter a patient with a concern relating to possible exposure to a hazardous substance.... View Article
A cervical smear test is an effective method for the early detection of cervical cancer, and for reducing cancer mortality. However,... View Article
Susan Reid and Carla White from health literacy and communication specialists, Workbase, explain how understanding and reducing... View Article
There are approximately 180 new diagnoses of cervical cancer in New Zealand each year. Having regular cervical smears can reduce... View Article
This month marks the launch of our 2013 revised edition of “Antibiotic choices for common infections”. The guidance supports the... View Article
Tip: Bookmark this page or add to your home screen on your smartphone for your mobile pocket handbook View Article
Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest threats to health that we have faced in recent history. As the rate of resistance... View Article
IN MARCH, 2012 A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE in the rate of childhood narcolepsy associated with the influenza vaccine Pandemrix (GlaxoSmithKline)... View Article
A new electronic notification system has been designed for general practices to report incidents related to exposures to hazardous... View Article
Infants who have not yet completed the National Immunisation Schedule and children who are not immunised, or only partially immunised,... View Article
In late 2012, there was a global increase in norovirus notifications, due to the spread of a novel norovirus, referred to as Sydney... View Article
The dominant influenza virus to circulate in New Zealand this “flu season” is likely to be an A(H3N2) virus, similar to the virus... View Article
ON 1 SEPTEMBER 2012, three new diabetes blood glucose meters were listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule: CareSens II, CareSens... View Article
Recommended vaccinations for staff working in primary health care View Article
Lung cancer in New Zealand: overcoming barriers View Article
New national genetic service launched View Article
Cancer services in New Zealand are undergoing major changes over the next few years. Primary care clinicians are likely to have... View Article
A care pathway is a tool that enables practitioners to provide better health care and better patient outcomes at a lower cost.... View Article
An ageing population, earlier diagnosis and advances in oncology treatment are contributing to a rising number of cancer survivors... View Article
Cardiovascular risk assessment tools automatically adjust risk to greater than 20% for people with high risk factors, e.g. a prior... View Article
Although immunisation rates among Māori and Pacific peoples continue to increase, there is still room for improvement, as... View Article
This article is out of date. Please see: Pertussis: halting the epidemic by protecting infants for updated information New... View Article
Contributed by Susan Reid and Carla White, Workbase View Article
Compared to other developed countries, New Zealand has one of the highest rates of serious skin infections, particularly among... View Article
In June 2011, bpacnz produced a report on oxycodone dispensing which urged prescribers to review their use of oxycodone. Oxycodone... View Article
The incidence of colorectal cancer in New Zealand is high by international standards. New Zealand females have one of the highest... View Article
ON 1 JULY, 2012 the “Get Checked” programme, under which diabetes follow-up care in New Zealand is funded, will be replaced by... View Article
The 2012 seasonal influenza vaccine contains the same strains as in previous years, however, annual vaccination is still necessary.... View Article
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was added to the national immunisation schedule in 2008 for females aged 12 years. The... View Article
This report highlights four key prescribing and laboratory testing recommendations covered over the past five years. Over this... View Article
The PHO Performance Programme was established in 2005 to improve the health of people enrolled in general practices in New Zealand... View Article
Over half of New Zealand's adult population is believed to have difficulty understanding and interpreting health information.... View Article
The purpose of the PHO Performance Programme is to improve health and reduce disparities among people using primary healthcare... View Article
In New Zealand, acute rheumatic fever is now almost exclusively a disease affecting Māori and Pacific peoples. The majority of... View Article
Nearly one quarter of New Zealand children and young people come to the attention of Child, Youth and Family before they reach... View Article
The Honourable Tariana Turia, Minister Responsible for Whānau Ora, introduces the concept of Whānau Ora and what this means for... View Article
An interview with Dr Chris Leathart, GP, Christchurch and a member of the bpacnz Clinical Advisory Group. View Article
Young people are having sex. Advice about sexual health and contraception should be considered for all adolescents, including... View Article
Significant progress has been made in increasing the rate of breast cancer screening in New Zealand. However, Māori women still... View Article
We present some responses received following our 2010 article "What's up with the men folk?" View Article
In this final article in the series on antimicrobial resistance, we look at the way foward. Lessons learned from international... View Article
This article reviews the data currently available, which enables interventions to be targeted towards issues which are local and... View Article
Pacific peoples have poorer health status than other New Zealanders, including higher rates of infectious diseases. View Article
Childhood immunisation plays an important role in the health of children, their families and the wider population. View Article
Ask a Pacific person what a healthy lifestyle means for them and the response will depend on who you are talking to. For young... View Article
Cervical screening rates in New Zealand have continued to increase following the introduction of the National Cervical Screening... View Article
New Zealand continues to have high rates of rheumatic fever, particularly among Pacific peoples. View Article
New Zealanders of Pacific descent come from approximately 20 different island groups, and have their own unique identities, languages,... View Article
The threat of multiple drug resistant organisms in New Zealand. The first article in a series on antimicrobial resistance. View Article
In Part One of our men’s health series, we outline some national programmes and campaigns that promote men’s health.... View Article
GPs frequently perform tests for screening purposes, whether for formal screening programmes, such as cervical screening, or less... View Article
Prostate cancer screening in asymptomatic men is a controversial public health issue generating much debate with polarised views... View Article
An important focus of the PHO Performance Programme is to ensure that all children in New Zealand are receiving their necessary... View Article
Progress to date on a national screening programme for bowel cancer View Article
The PHO Performance Programme recognises the increased health needs of Māori, Pacific peoples and those living in lower socioeconomic... View Article
The rate of suicide in young Māori males is higher than in any other population group in New Zealand. Mental health disorder... View Article
It is estimated that substance misuse and other addictions are experienced by over one quarter of Māori in their lifetime.... View Article
Important changes to the 2010 influenza immunisation programme View Article
Evidence indicates that early interventions in a number of mental health conditions for children and young people can result in... View Article
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in New Zealand women. The national target for breast screening is for 70% of... View Article
Nicotinic acid/laropiprant (Tredaptive) ▪ Fosamax Plus ▪ Direct-to-consumer genetic testing View Article
After the introduction of the National Cervical Screening Programme, rates of cervical screening increased and the overall incidence... View Article
Kupu Whakataki Welcome to BPJ 22, our second journal focused on Māori Health View Article
Mental disorders are extremely common with over one third of adults who attend primary care likely to have met the criteria for... View Article
Tohatohaina atu ki te iwi - He kaupapa hauora Māori angituSome examples of successful intiatives in Māori Health. View Article
Recent changes to the immunisation schedule include a new pneumococcal vaccine for infants, introduction of the High Risk Pneumococcal... View Article
In healthy people influenza is usually self-limiting and uncomplicated however for some groups of people it can be a significant... View Article
While people continue to smoke, they must be aware of the health risk they pose to others. Second hand smoke is considered a significant... View Article
There are many reasons why people begin smoking, continue to smoke and find it hard to quit. Clinicians who want to discourage... View Article
Professor Rod Jackson and Professor Simon Capewell debate screening of high risk individuals v population wide strategies for... View Article
How genes and the environment work together to predict disease or behavioural outcomes. View Article
What side is your bread buttered on? Mandatory fortification of bread with folic acid: the debate. View Article
Feedback on a survey of GPs about Māori health issues View Article
So what can primary healthcare professionals do about disparities in care for Māori? We have developed a framework that can... View Article
Māori living in the upper North Island have one of the highest rates of acute rheumatic fever in the world. This disease... View Article
Māori have poorer health outcomes, die younger and have higher rates of chronic disease than other New Zealanders. Reducing... View Article
A PHO shares its experience and outcomes of establishing a unique service targeted at Māori and Pacific patients and whanau. View Article
In her UPFRONT article on infectious disease patterns (BPJ Issue 5 p4), Professor Diana Lennon noted the fact that Post-streptococcal... View Article
In New Zealand, the immunisation programme has eliminated polio and controlled tetanus and diptheria. However, disease persists,... View Article
Patients often remember little of what we say during consultations. Important information may be forgotten. We try to overcome... View Article
An Interview with Professor Diana Lennon on infectious disease patterns. View Article
Mental Health Foundations aims and key services. View Article
Direct to Consumer Advertising In New Zealand.Is the end in sight? View Article
The risk of injury or death during adolescence is two to three times higher than it is during childhood. The main reason for this... View Article