
Climate-Affected Health In The Pacific To Be Discussed At Auckland Conference
, RNZ Pacific Senior Journalist
Experts will gather in Auckland next week to discuss how to cope with the health impacts in the Pacific that are due to climate change.
A symposium is being held at the University of Auckland by Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa - the Centre for Pacific and Global Health - involving knowledgable people from around the Pacific.
A director of Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa, Roannie Ng Shiu says climate change is driving up temperatures in the islands - and heat is a "silent killer."
She told Don Wiseman they'll look at the health impacts of climate change in the Pacific, and share potential solutions.
(This transcript has been edited for brevity and clarity).
Roannie Ng Shiu: So our conference theme around climate health in the Pacific region sort of speaks to trying to think about the Pacific region and Pacific researchers providing important contributions to unlocking not just Pacific health solutions, but also global solutions related to climate change. We see this as an important aspect of the work that we do, as a centre, to amplify and uplift the research and the learnings that are coming out of the Pacific region, that also can be of use to other countries and other regions around the world.
Don Wiseman: We've known for years about the environmental impacts from climate change, but your group would say that there have been very significant health effects already. What sort of things?
RNS: We can see that climate related impacts include NCD [non-communicable diseases]. So when we think about the Pacific region, we think about two crises. One is climate change, but the other is NCDs, and this is a result of over-reliance on ultra-processed imported food, and the impact that global warming and climate change is having on sustainable agricultural practices and also in the ability to provide nutritious food by Pacific people for the region. The other thing is dengue fever. So we can see that as a result of climate change, that there's been an increase in vector-borne infectious diseases. Dengue is the current example that we have, and this is because the climate is producing more breeding grounds and warmer weather longer; we can also see that there's been intense cyclones that are happening quite often, and this actually is a real problem, because it affects the development gains that Pacific communities and countries have made. So for example, I think from our last analysis, the cyclones that happened in Fiji - Cyclone Winston that was estimated to cost around US$480 billion. So with so many frequent cyclones that are more intense, Pacific communities can't necessarily catch up to rebuilding or building better, particularly around their water, sanitation, hygiene facilities. So we can see the significant effects too of climate on wash utilities and outcomes. The Pacific region has the lowest levels of access to clean water as a result. There's quite a number of impacts. We need to be researching into these areas a lot better to understand how communities themselves are dealing and adapting and mitigating these factors as a place of strength and resilience. But at the same time, we also need to be part of that conversation globally - around how do we get big countries who are emitting the most greenhouse gasses to do their bit in terms of global climate. So things around climate justice inequity are really, really important, but it's a conversation that needs to be had with everyone globally, and not just people from the region.
DW: Yes, one remarkable thing that I've seen is the number of people in the Pacific dying of heatstroke in the last 20 years, and this is quite a significant number.
RNS: So I think as part of the symposium, we are launching the inaugural landscape countdown small island developing states report. And this is one of the key findings - where mortality attributed to heat has increased. I'm not sure if you're familiar with the fact that those deaths are happening mostly with babies, so children under the age of one, and then those who are a little bit elderly, or wisdom holders, as we like to say, who are 65 years and older. We have the Pacific that is seen as vulnerable, and then the most vulnerable, which are our children and our elderly, are at the highest risk of climate impacts.
DW: Countries like New Zealand and Australia - are they doing enough in terms of preparing the region for this threat that's already here?
RNS: I would say no, I think more could be done - I'm speaking about New Zealand. Australia does put a lot of money into development assistance for the Pacific region, but at the moment that is going towards more geopolitics and security programs. I think we could always be doing better. We could always be doing more. There is also the sense that climate change is going to increase the numbers of people claiming environmental refugee status. But other research we've conducted actually shows that Pacific people want to stay where they are. They just need support and helping them to live in the environments that they currently live in, and dealing with climate impacts that they really haven't contributed to. So, for example, the Pacific region only contributes 0.03 percent of greenhouse gasses, but are impacted the most.
DW: The centre wants to look at bringing health closer together with the MetService so that there can be more information readily available to deal with extremes.
RNS: One of the things that we are also looking at, and we've seen from our research, is the need to have better surveillance in order to be prepared for climate health risks - things around infectious diseases, as well as vector-borne diseases like dengue and waterborne diseases. So that if we have a better idea of extreme weather events that are likely to happen, and then layer that on top of health metrics, then we have a better understanding of where we need to be focusing our health intervention and prevention services, particularly for Pacific countries which don't have the same sort of resources that New Zealand or Australia has, for example, in preparing for disasters and extreme weather events.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Potential insurance costs cast shadow over new parent visa
By Liu Chen of RNZ Insurance experts have raised concerns about potential costs for the long-awaited Parent Boost Visa that was announced by the government. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford recently said the visa would allow parents of citizens and residents to stay in New Zealand for up to five years, with an opportunity for the visa to be extended another five years. Included in the health and income conditions of the visa was a requirement for the parents to obtain sufficient health insurance to cover the first 12 months of their stay. Anyone staying longer than a year would need to renew their health insurance policies for the duration of their stay. Christchurch resident Xiuyun Liu questioned whether the insurance conditions could make it harder for her parents to take advantage of the new visa. Her parents, 70 and 73, had been on visitor and study visas to stay in New Zealand, helping her to look after her young children. "I think it's good that the policy is out now. At least we have hope for the next five years," Liu said. "But what if I can't get insurance for my parents? Even if they can get insurance [now], there will be a day they won't be able to. "For example, my father has high blood pressure and some other issues. ... I think getting insurance will be a problem." The government requires applicants to hold at least one year of health insurance that covers emergency healthcare (minimum $250,000 a year), medical repatriation, return of remains and cancer treatment (minimum $100,000). Paula Lorgelly, a professor of health economics at the University of Auckland, said she was unaware of any matching insurance products currently on the market, but she expected providers to start work on delivering them. "Currently a number of insurers have a visiting New Zealand policy to provide cover for a range of travel and medical related claims," Lorgelly said. "These do have considerable exclusions with respect to pre-existing conditions, which means they are somewhat affordable, about $2200 a year [for a couple who are both 60 years old]." Lorgelly said many existing policies had upper age limits of 65 or 75, and they would also include exclusions for pre-existing conditions. "If you have such conditions, which often come with age, then the policy holder will need to pay more to cover them," she said. The $2200 figure was likely to be on the low side of what a new policy would offer, if cancer treatment was included, Lorgelly said. Insurance consultant Amy Tao believed any new insurance products would effectively be like existing travel insurance policies. "It will just be upgraded to include the $100,000 cancer treatment cover, for example," Tao said. She said insurance companies might cover some low-risk pre-existing conditions with extra premiums. "But underwriting is definitely required," she said. "If they think the risk is too high, they may not be able to provide insurance even if you pay more." Her estimation of existing travel insurance policies for an elderly couple was similar to the figure Lorgelly shared, citing $1840 for a couple of 65-year-olds and $2514 for two 70-year-olds, with both policies carrying an excess of $100. Tao said any new product would be more expensive, adding extra cover for cancer and pre-existing conditions. "Insurance is for sure going to cost a bit," she said. "Currently, some insurance companies only allow travel insurance to be purchased for a maximum of one year or two years," she said. "It can be renewed after the expiration date but cannot be purchased directly for five years." Speaking to Morning Report on Monday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said people needed to hold health insurance for the duration of their stay. "We're striking the balance of making sure that ... these folks who are not taxpayers, haven't contributed to our publicly funded healthcare system, won't be eligible for those services." Rob Hennin, New Zealand chief executive of health insurance provider NIB, said the company had begun work in line with the government's announcement. "We are already working on a product that aligns with the requirements for this visa, and aim to launch it in September," Hennin said. "While all of the details are yet to be determined, the product would be available to purchase for at least one year to align with government requirements, and cover clients for the entirety of their stay while residing in New Zealand." When asked about the costing, Hennin said it was too soon to say. "We will be working through the product design and details and aim to have this ready by the deadline," he said. Financial Services Council chief executive Kirk Hope said the government had consulted with the industry before the decision was made, and the requirements were reasonable. "I think it's reasonable given what the costs of the taxpayer would be if someone didn't have insurance and had to rely on the taxpayers," Hope said. "So, it's important that people are insured when they're here on visitor visits." Hope said it was important for the types of insurance to be provided by the visitors' home market. Despite the visa's hefty application fee and additional insurance requirements, immigration lawyer Sonny Lam believed the visa would still be popular at face value. "It is not excessively high - flying every six months back and forth is going to cost more than $3000," Lam said. "But the insurance requirement may be harder than it looks," he said. "I had a look at Southern Cross and travel insurance for people over 75 is not so easy." Immigration lawyer Arran Hunt also said the cost of insurance would be "the biggest factor for many". "We expect we'll see more competition in the market, with insurance policies being created to solely meet the criteria of this visa," Hunt said. "The requirements for the visa, as in the pay levels required for sponsors, should mean it is open to almost all couples where both are working," he said. "However, some may struggle to cover the insurance costs, especially for older applicants." Parent Boost Visa costs Visa application fee: $3000 ($2450 for Pacific applicants) $3000 ($2450 for Pacific applicants) International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy: $100 $100 Additional processing fee for the third-year health check: $325 ($240 for Pacific applicants) $325 ($240 for Pacific applicants) Health check fees: About $300-500 per person About $300-500 per person Health insurance costs


Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
RFK Jr sacks US vaccine committee
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has fired all 17 members of a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel of vaccine experts and is in the process of replacing them, his department said, drawing protest from many vaccine scientists. The move is the most far-reaching in a series of actions by Kennedy, a long-time vaccine sceptic, to reshape US regulation of vaccines, food and medicine. Scientists and experts said the changes to the vaccine panel, which recommends how vaccines are used and by whom, would undermine public confidence in health agencies. Kennedy promised the move would raise public confidence. "Today we are prioritising the restoration of public trust above any specific pro- or anti-vaccine agenda," Kennedy said in a statement from the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has for years sown doubt about the safety and efficacy of vaccines, but he pledged to maintain the country's existing vaccine standards to secure his appointment in President Donald Trump's administration. The Food and Drug Administration, which is overseen by Kennedy's department, has approved a number of vaccines during his tenure despite concerns over his stances. Even so, at least one senior Republican member of Congress expressed doubts about the changes in the panel. Kennedy said the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is rife with conflicts and has never turned down a vaccine, even though the decision to approve vaccines rests with the US Food and Drug Administration. The CDC panel provides guidance to the CDC on which groups of people would most benefit from an already-approved vaccine. "That's a tragedy," said former FDA Chief Scientist Jesse Goodman. "This is a highly professional group of scientists and physicians and others... It's the kind of political meddling that will reduce confidence rather than increase confidence." The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America called Kennedy's action concerning for public health. "Upending the ACIP membership increases uncertainty and vaccine skepticism, undermining the health gains achieved through vaccination," the industry body said in a statement. Shares of vaccine makers Moderna and US-listed shares of BioNTech fell more than 1%, while Pfizer was down marginally in extended trading on Monday. Kennedy said most panel members received funding from drugmakers although members were required to declare any potential or perceived conflicts of interest that arise in the course of their tenure and any relevant business interests, positions of authority or other connections with organisations relevant to the committee's work. Kennedy and HHS provided no specific evidence of industry conflicts of interest among departing ACIP members. The CDC's web page for conflicts of interest, last updated in March, showed that one current member had recused herself from votes on a handful of vaccines because she had worked on clinical trials for their manufacturers. BIDEN APPOINTEES All 17 ACIP members were appointed under former president Joe Biden's administration, including 13 in 2024, HHS said. Without their removal, Trump's administration would not have been able to choose a majority of the committee until 2028. "This is not a political committee, it's never been partisan," said Dorit Reiss, a vaccine law expert at UC Law San Francisco. "It's an expert committee. Presidents have never been involved in ACIP membership." The decision drew criticism from Democrats in Congress, and one key Republican expressed concern. "Of course, now the fear is that the ACIP will be filled up with people who know nothing about vaccines except suspicion," said Republican US Senator Bill Cassidy in a post on X. "I've just spoken with Secretary Kennedy, and I'll continue to talk with him to ensure this is not the case." Cassidy, a doctor from Louisiana who had expressed wariness about Kennedy's anti-vaccine views before clearing the path for him to become the nation's top health official, said at the time he had received assurances Kennedy would protect existing vaccination programmes. The CDC panel will convene its next meeting June 25-27 at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, the department said. Vetting new panel members typically takes months, said one expert with close ties to the committee, who expressed doubts the newly appointed panel would be able to meet on time unless Kennedy and his team "have been working in the shadows" to onboard them months ahead of the announcement. Kennedy has drawn condemnation from health officials for his vaccine policies, including what they say is a weak endorsement of the measles shots during an outbreak that has infected more than 1000 mostly unvaccinated people and killed three. He announced last month the government was dropping its recommendation that healthy children and pregnant women should receive Covid shots, sidestepping the typical process. Traditionally, once the FDA approves vaccines for sale to the public, ACIP's role is to review data in a public meeting and vote on vaccine recommendations, which are then sent to the CDC director to sign off. The Affordable Care Act generally requires insurers to cover vaccines that are listed on the CDC vaccine schedules for adults and children. The recommendations also determine which vaccines the CDC's Vaccines for Children program will provide free of charge to those without insurance.


Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
Increased Movement Of People Making Dengue Outbreaks More Common, Says Mosquito Expert
Greg Devine said mosquitos that carry the virus 'hitchhike around the world' and the increased movement of people is increasing those infected by dengue. Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist Dengue fever outbreaks have been surging in recent decades but new initiatives like infecting mosquitos with bacteria or genetic modification could dramatically slow the spread. According to the World Health Organization there was just over 500,0000 reported cases in 2000 – ballooning to 5.2 million in 2019. Last year, there were 14 million dengue cases – a record number dwarfing the previous 2023 high of 6.5 million. This year, there's been 2.5 million. Samoa, Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands have all declared dengue outbreaks. Samoa, Fiji and Tonga have each had at least one death from the viral infection. Greg Devine from the World Mosquito Program said increased globalisation is making outbreaks more common. Devine said mosquitos that carry the virus 'hitchhike around the world' and the increased movement of people is increasing those infected by dengue. Devine said a lot of people also don't have immunity. 'They don't have any protection against it because they've never been exposed to it before,' he said. 'Dengue comes in four different serotypes, so just because you've had one doesn't mean you can't get another.' He said climate change was having an increasing impact. 'We are hotter and wetter than we've ever been before and that's great for mosquitoes. It also means that the virus in mosquitoes is replicating more rapidly.' The aedes aegypti mosquito – which carries dengue – is considered a tropical or subtropical mosquito, but Devine said warmer weather would also increase the mosquitoes' range of where it inhabits. In the Pacific, health ministries are trying to stamp out mosquito breeding grounds and are spraying insecticides outside. But Devine said doing so has had limited success in reducing the spread. He said the aedes aegypti mosquito is 'completely reliant upon humans for its blood meals' which meant it liked to stay indoors, not outdoors where the majority of the spraying happens. 'Outdoor use of insecticides, it's perhaps better than nothing and the truth is that the community wants to see something happening. 'That's a very visible intervention but the reality is, there's a very limited evidence base for its impact.' Mosquitoes continually exposed to insecticides would also evolve resistance, Devine said. The World Mosquito Programme infects mosquitos with a naturally occurring bacteria called Wolbachia, which stops viruses like dengue growing in the mosquitoes' bodies. 'It's been trialled in New Caledonia, where it's been extremely successful,' Devine said. 'In the years since, the mosquito releases have been made by the World Mosquito Program, there's been no dengue epidemics where once they were extremely common.' He said genetically modified mosquitoes were also being looked at as a solution. 'That's a different kind of strategy, where you release large numbers of mosquitoes which have been modified in a way which means when those males interact with the local mosquito female population, the resulting offspring are not viable, and so that can crash the entire population.' When asked if that could collapse the entire aedes aegypti mosquito population, Devine said he wouldn't be 'particularly worried about decimating numbers'. 'People often refer to it as the kind of cockroach of the mosquito world. 'It's very, very closely adapted to the human population in most parts of its range. The species evolved in Africa and has since, spread throughout the world. It's not a particularly important mosquito for many ecosystems.'