The New Zealand medical journal
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To investigate staff perceptions of the burden of alcohol-related presentations on emergency departments (ED) in New Zealand and the impact on staff of alcohol-related ED presentations. ⋯ This small exploratory study found that alcohol-related presentations have a negative impact on ED staff workload and safety, and may compromise treatment of all patients. More research is needed to corroborate these findings and to investigate policies to reduce the impacts of alcohol-related presentations in the ED.
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To survey new patients, presenting to three drug clinics, on the patterns, usage and costs of prescription pharmaceuticals. ⋯ Morphine and methadone remain the predominant street opioid PDs in this region. Street prices have reduced, perhaps reflecting greater drug availability in accordance with increased national prescribing of opioids. There is continuing diversion of PDs to the street which is an ongoing Public Health issue requiring coordinated responses, including improved prescribing training, pain guidelines, drug clinic policy and actions by Medsafe, Police and regulatory bodies to contain this problem.
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Climate change is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time. Despite some inherent uncertainties in making predictions about climate change, there is wide scientific consensus that global warming is occurring; that it is largely due to manmade greenhouse gas emissions; and that it will have substantial health implications for the future. The predicted health impacts of climate change are now clearer for New Zealand, and general practitioners can take action to mitigate these impacts and adapt to the future environment. Actions required involve a combination of 'top-down' and 'ground-up' approaches; effective leadership and policy from our health institutions and, importantly, individual practice initiatives that transform these goals into practical outcomes.
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We carried out a serological and clinical survey to determine the prevalence and clinical presentation of yaws on two twin islands in Polynesia: Wallis and Futuna. A total of 264 serum samples were tested for specific Treponema pallidum haemagglutinations assay and non-specific rapid plasma reagin: 52 were positive for one or both tests; only one young adult had skin lesion consistent with yaws; and there were no observed cases of secondary or tertiary yaws. Our results contrast with findings in neighbouring islands, such as Vanuatu, where yaws has been reported to resurge. This difference might be explained by better availability and accessibility of healthcare on Wallis and Futuna, thus allowing widespread use of antibiotics for other bacterial diseases.