Category Archive

Some people label ideas like a junk food tax as ‘nanny state’, but ultimately such soundbites are overly simplistic, because we already have a situation where the state interferes in our lives. Are unhealthy people such as smokers or people … Read More

The majority (90%) of Kiwis think that obesity is a matter of individual responsibility. They believe that being fat is the result of poor choices, or a lack of self-control. So the natural response to any suggestion to tax junk … Read More

In the second of our blogs on immunisation (the first asks whether you should get your child immunised – the answer being, for the good of all of us, a resounding yes!), Jess gives a brief overview of how immunisation … Read More

In the book, Health Cheque, Geoff and I found that in terms of health, prevention is more effective than cure by a factor of four to one. So the Morgan Foundation retains an interest in the issue of prevention, which led … Read More

Last night’s Sunday programme featured Roby Beaglehole, who is launching a campaign on the impact of sugar, soft drinks in particular. Roby is a dentist who is tired of carrying out expensive and painful operations on little kiddies to remove their teeth. … Read More

Our new Health Minister Jonathan Coleman is looking at introducing a Health Target to control child obesity. This seems like a great idea. Unfortunately his Government has already ruled out any of the policies that would be effective in achieving … Read More

The debate over whether cholesterol and saturated fat or sugar and refined carbohydrates are the greatest dietary evil has once again raised its ugly head. These arguments between nutritionists leave people confused in their quest for a longer, healthier life. … Read More

As we head into summer, our minds turn to thinking about how to squeeze into the same swimwear we wore last year. Our new health minister Jonathan Coleman has the goal to ‘slim the nation’, by bringing together his roles … Read More