Healthier Lives Newsletter November 2021

In this issue:

• Webinar:  Pathways between research, policy and practice
• Update:  He Pikinga Waiora Framework in action
• Research voices:  Dr Dani Prapavessis
• Welcome:  Governance Group and Kāhui Māori interns
• Diabetes Action Month:  Step up for diabetes

Webinar: Pathways between research, policy and practice

Wednesday 17 November 2021

9.00am – 12.30pm

FREE

This half-day webinar features presentations from leading policymakers and researchers about how Aotearoa New Zealand could develop more effective pathways between research, policy and practice. It aims to start a conversation about the potential for the new health system to deliver better, and more equitable, outcomes for non-communicable diseases through more systematic use of research evidence and health data.

Read more about the event and register here.

Update: He Pikinga Waiora Framework in action

The He Pikinga Waiora (HPW) Implementation Framework was developed in the first phase of Healthier Lives as a tool for planning and evaluating new health interventions so they work effectively for Māori communities. It is now being used in health projects around the country to ensure health services are delivered more equitably. A toolkit is available to help researchers, community members, clinicians and others put the HPW Framework into action.

Read more here.

Research voices: Dr Dani Prapavessis

Dr Dani Prapavessis recently completed her PhD on youth empowerment as part of the Pasifika Prediabetes Youth Empowerment Programme (PPYEP) study.  In this issue she talks about her doctoral journey and the inspiration that carried her through this important milestone.

This is the first in a series presenting fresh perspectives on research from a variety of voices, reflecting the joys and challenges associated with research aimed at achieving equitable health outcomes in Aotearoa me Te Waipounamu.

Read more here.

Welcome: Governance Group and Kāhui Māori interns

The Healthier Lives Governance Group and Kāhui Māori recently introduced internships to provide governance experience to outstanding Māori researchers as part of its commitment to developing the next generation of research leaders.

We welcome Dr Lara Greaves (Ngāpuhi, Pākehā, Tararā) and Dr Matt Edwards (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāruahine) as the inaugural interns.

Dr Greaves is a lecturer at the University of Auckland, Associate Director of the Public Policy Institute, co-lead of the New Zealand Election Study and one of the editors of the seventh edition of Government and Politics in Aotearoa and New Zealand (Oxford University Press). She is a frequent commentator on policy issues in national and international media.

Dr Edwards is a lecturer at the University of Auckland who works on Bayesian nonparametrics and gravitational wave astronomy.  He previously worked for Statistics New Zealand on household sample survey methodologies, time series methods for key economic indicators, and confidentiality for the integrated data infrastructure (IDI).  He is a member of national and international gravitational wave consortia.

Read more about our Governance Group and Kāhui Māori here.

Diabetes Action Month: Step up for diabetes

November is Diabetes Action Month and Diabetes New Zealand is calling on Kiwis to Step Up For Diabetes by having regular foot checks to prevent amputations and making the right lifestyle choices to prevent or manage diabetes, which affects over a million New Zealanders.

Find out more at diabetesactionmonth.org.nz

Earlier this year, The Economic and Social Cost of Type 2 Diabetes report showed that over 600 amputations could be avoided each year in New Zealand if better foot screening and podiatry services were made available for everyone with type 2 diabetes.

Report on The Economic and Social Cost of Type 2 Diabetes

Inequity in NZ podiatry services ‘behind hundreds of preventable amputations’ Diabetes New Zealand press release

In the news

Professor Sue Crengle appointed to the Māori Health Authority

Professor Sue Crengle (University of Otago), Healthier Lives principal investigator, has been appointed to the Māori Health Authority’s interim board.

“I think this is the most significant event we have seen for Māori health… and we absolutely want it to be transformational.”

Sue Crengle on the creation of the Māori Health Authority

Time for transformational mahi NZ Doctor (Subscriber content)

E-Tangata profiles Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu

Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu (University of Otago Wellington), Healthier Lives Science Leadership Team member, talks about her life and career in a talanoa with e-Tangata.

Dianne Sika-Paotonu: The duty to act e-Tangata

Evaluating the impact of community acess to shared vehicles

Dr Helen Fitt (Lincoln University), Healthier Lives investigator, was recently featured in this piece by Metro News about a trial of shared vehicles (electric cars and e-bikes) in community housing and the impact on residents’ travel habits

The evaluation of this trial by Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust (ŌCHT) is one part of the ACTIVATION project, funded by Healthier Lives and Ageing Well.

In Touch: OCHT Metro News (1m57s)

Front-of-pack labelling promotes healthier purchases

Professor Cliona Ni Mhurchu (University of Auckland), Healthier Lives deputy director, was part of an international research team which conducted a systematic review of 134 studies undertaken over the past 31 years to analyse the impact of nutrition labelling on purchasing behaviour.

The systematic review found that colour-coded and warning labels appear to encourage the purchase of more healthful products, reduce the purchase of less healthful options, and improve overall nutritional quality.

Color-coded nutrition labels and warnings linked to more healthful purchases Science Daily

Impact of color-coded and warning nutrition labelling schemes: A systematic review and network meta-analysis PLOS medicine

Recent publications

Mete E, Haszard J, Perry T, Oey I, Mann J, Te Morenga L. Effect of Wholegrain Flour Particle Size in Bread on Glycaemic and Insulinaemic Response among People with Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomised Crossover Trial. Nutrients. 2021; 13(8):2579. doi: 10.3390/nu13082579