Resources for Journalists

The lived experience of Australians with disabilities during COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 20 Nov 2024 at 1210 AEDT, 1410 NZDT

Disability & Society

Disruptions to support services during the COVID-19 pandemic led Australians with disabilities to report significant declines in life satisfaction and mental health, a new study from Flinders Read more about The lived experience of Australians with disabilities during COVID-19

Health spending in Australia has returned to pre-pandemic levels

Publicly released: Wed 20 Nov 2024 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

The reports have shown the decrease in public spending between 2022-23, largely associated with reduced spending related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as vaccines and personal protective equipment. Read more about Health spending in Australia has returned to pre-pandemic levels

Bridging the gap: how social engagement can protect against dementia

Publicly released: Mon 18 Nov 2024 at 1615 AEDT, 1815 NZDT

In Australia, approximately one in three people feel lonely some, if not all of the time, up from one in four since before the COVID-19 pandemic. ... Dr Samtani says it is important to note the difference Read more about Bridging the gap: how social engagement can protect against dementia

Measles cases surge worldwide

Publicly released: Fri 15 Nov 2024 at 1029 AEDT, 1229 NZDT

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

The measles vaccine is our best protection against the virus, and we must continue to invest in efforts to increase access. ... recovery of the measles backsliding resulting from COVID-19 pandemic, and Read more about Measles cases surge worldwide

Gaps identified in disease surveillance

Publicly released: Tue 12 Nov 2024 at 0100 AEDT, 0300 NZDT

BMC Health Services Research

Over 18 months the team analysed the responses to four different disease groups in the region: COVID-19, tuberculosis, sexually transmissible infections, and arboviruses. ... She said the findings could Read more about Gaps identified in disease surveillance

COVID-19 restrictions cut the spread of flu, until we all got back on planes

Publicly released: Fri 8 Nov 2024 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

Science

In 2020, nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) introduced to combat COVID-19 – such as lockdown policies, mandated social distancing, masking, and travel bans – dramatically impacted influenza Read more about COVID-19 restrictions cut the spread of flu, until we all got back on planes

Wedded bliss: Married people are less likely to be depressed

Publicly released: Tue 5 Nov 2024 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature Human Behaviour

The risk of depression for unmarried individuals was also found to be higher in male individuals and those who had higher educational attainment. ... Unmarried participants in Western countries (including Read more about Wedded bliss: Married people are less likely to be depressed

Developing a test to better track whooping cough strains amid national outbreak

Publicly released: Tue 5 Nov 2024 at 0100 AEDT, 0300 NZDT

Journal of Clinical Microbiology

Outbreak patternsPrevious research from the team suggests that whooping cough may be evolving under vaccine pressure, much like we saw with COVID-19. ... After an outbreak in 2019, border closures and Read more about Developing a test to better track whooping cough strains amid national outbreak

How NZ avoided a 'triple-demic' of RSV, COVID-19, and influenza

Publicly released: Fri 1 Nov 2024 at 1025 AEDT, 1225 NZDT

The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) transmission was eliminated for twelve months in New Zealand thanks to border-closures, social distancing and facemask use in 2020. ... Since RSV returned to New Zealand Read more about How NZ avoided a 'triple-demic' of RSV, COVID-19, and influenza

The COVID-19 pandemic has turned us into homebodies

Publicly released: Thu 31 Oct 2024 at 1501 AEDT, 1701 NZDT

Journal of the American Planning Association

People are staying home far more since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to US researchers who say urban planning should adapt to this new normal. ... occurred when COVID-19 first hit have remained, with Read more about The COVID-19 pandemic has turned us into homebodies

Long COVID inflammation damages the heart

Publicly released: Thu 31 Oct 2024 at 0940 AEDT, 1140 NZDT

Nature Microbiology

We discovered elevated levels of cytokines, proteins which help control inflammation in the body, in the blood samples of people at about 18 months post-infection with SARS-CoV-2,” Dr ... It’s only Read more about Long COVID inflammation damages the heart

Ancient gene offers new clue to disease susceptibility for First Nations people

Publicly released: Wed 30 Oct 2024 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

Cell

This is crucial because they can either eliminate low level infection completely or buy time for the generation of virus-specific immunity. ... First Nations people globally, including Aboriginal and Read more about Ancient gene offers new clue to disease susceptibility for First Nations people

EXPERT REACTION: COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report

Publicly released: Tue 29 Oct 2024 at 1629 AEDT, 1829 NZDT

The Federal Government has released the report from the independent inquiry into Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. ... The report identifies 19 immediate actions for the next 12-18 months, Read more about EXPERT REACTION: COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report

Children at a healthy weight could be at a lower risk of Long COVID symptoms

Publicly released: Tue 29 Oct 2024 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

While weight is a known risk factor for severe COVID-19 symptoms during the infection, international researchers say it also impacts the risk of Long COVID symptoms in children. ... The team collected US Read more about Children at a healthy weight could be at a lower risk of Long COVID symptoms

Your parenting style can literally shape your child's brain

Publicly released: Tue 29 Oct 2024 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Pediatrics

Warm parenting was associated with localised brain structure differenced in middle childhood, and the researchers say children who experienced warmer parenting during this time also reported lower Read more about Your parenting style can literally shape your child's brain

Ongoing decline in childhood immunisation rates sparks concerns

Publicly released: Mon 28 Oct 2024 at 0700 AEDT, 0900 NZDT

The recent decreases come after eight years of generally increasing coverage prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. ... 0% for Indigenous children). Mixed results for adolescents and adultsModest Read more about Ongoing decline in childhood immunisation rates sparks concerns

Urgent and equitable action needed to prevent mpox becoming the next pandemic emergency

Publicly released: Mon 21 Oct 2024 at 1723 AEDT, 1923 NZDT

PLOS Global Public Health

As the mpox outbreak continues to ravage Africa, global health leaders and scientists are calling on world leaders to take urgent action to stop the spread of the virus. ... If we have learnt anything Read more about Urgent and equitable action needed to prevent mpox becoming the next pandemic emergency

The next pandemic is inevitable. Will NZ be ready?

Publicly released: Fri 18 Oct 2024 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

NZMJ

A recent update to New Zealand's pandemic response plan is a start, but much more work is required, say David Murdoch and Ashley Bloomfield, key figures in Aotearoa's ... In an NZMJ editorial, they write Read more about The next pandemic is inevitable. Will NZ be ready?

Children's brain development appears normal for those whose mothers had COVID-19 during pregnancy

Publicly released: Thu 17 Oct 2024 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Comparing children born to mothers who had COVID-19 during pregnancy with those who didn't, the researchers say there was no clear difference in neurodevelopmental screening scores. ... About The Study: Read more about Children's brain development appears normal for those whose mothers had COVID-19 during pregnancy

Children are developing diabetes at a higher rate after COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 15 Oct 2024 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

JAMA Network Open

Children and teenagers are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes in the months after COVID-19, according to international researchers. ... About The Study: In this retrospective cohort study of children Read more about Children are developing diabetes at a higher rate after COVID-19