In 2008 and 2009, the author spent a month on the island of Atafu as part of the Tokelau Science, Education, and Research program co-directed by David Addison and John Kalolo. During this time he assisted in archaeological excavation, collected land snails and soil samples, made a film, and became a part of an atoll...

Background: In 2003 the New Zealand Guidelines on the screening and management of patients for cardiovascular risk were published, with a revised handbook for primary healthcare staff updated in 2009. Several studies however have identified a significant gap between the guideline recommendations and current practice.

The negative social, educational and health consequences of obesity for children have been well documented, with downstream impacts on chronic disease for adults. A diet high in energy-dense nutrient-poor foods, and low in nutritious foods, is an important contributor to obesity. Such diets tend to have negative health and educational outcomes for children. Childhood nutrition...

Background This thesis investigates the relationship between income and health in New Zealand adults, using longitudinal data from the household panel Survey of Family, Income and Employment, 2002 to 2005. Evidence for a cross-sectional relationship between income and health is strong, but may be affected by confounding. Longitudinal data, with repeated measures on the same...

Reducing the incidence of blood-borne infections (BBVs) continues to present a considerable public health challenge. Both internationally and in New Zealand, the high risk of transmission of HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) among injecting drug users (IDUs) has led to the introduction of harm reduction measures, such as needle exchange programmes.