Latest news with #CadenceKaumoana
Scoop
6 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
New PHANZ Policy Affirms The Importance Of Community Water Fluoridation
The Public Health Association of New Zealand (PHANZ) supports community water fluoridation as a critical public health measure and supports the Government continuing to uphold its responsibility for implementing community water fluoridation. Releasing its new policy position statement on Community Water Fluoridation, the PHANZ emphasises the strong body of international and national evidence supporting community water fluoridation as a safe and effective public health measure for preventing tooth decay in both children and adults. 'Fluoridated water protects our mokopuna, whānau and communities who might face barriers in accessing dental care' says Dr Cadence Kaumoana, Chief Executive. 'It is a simple, safe, proven and equitable approach to improve the oral health of all people in Aotearoa New Zealand.' In Aotearoa New Zealand, tooth decay is one of the leading causes of hospital admissions for children aged 0-14 years. In 2019, there were 9,267 dental and hospital events, equating to 4.6% of all children's hospital events, and tooth decay was the most common principal diagnosis (7,161 children) from all children's hospital events.[1]For adults (aged 15 years and over), 45.0% have had one or more teeth removed in their lifetime due to tooth decay, with increased prevalence for Māori (50.3%) and people with disabilities (64.4%).2 Until relatively recently, the decision to fluoridate water supplies was determined at a local authority level. However, the introduction of the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021[ 3] enabled the Director-General of Health to direct local authorities to fluoridate drinking water supplies, creating a nationally consistent, health-focused, and evidence-based decision-making process for community water fluoridation in Aotearoa New Zealand. In July 2022, the Director-General of Health issued directions to 14 local authorities to take practicable steps (with support from the Ministry of Health) to ensure their drinking water supplies contained optimal level of fluoride.[4] As a result of the directions to these 14 local authorities, around 400,000 more people have gained access to fluoridated community drinking water.[5] The PHANZ notes that despite the overwhelming evidence for community water fluoridation, and the public health benefits of centralising decision-making under the Director-General of Health, opposition to this approach persists. In February 2025, a Member's Bill from New Zealand First proposed repealing the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021.[6] Repealing this would return responsibility for fluoridation to local authorities, a system that previously led to regional inconsistencies and allowed misinformation and non-evidenced-based decisions to compromise oral health outcomes. In response to this announcement, the Health Minister reaffirmed that the Government would maintain its current fluoride policy.7 'Oral health isn't just about teeth — it's about dignity, confidence, and basic quality of life,' says Dr Kaumoana. 'We support the Government's commitment to keep community water fluoridation at the national level. Every whānau deserves access to safe and effective oral health protection regardless of their location. This is a simple, proven way to prevent harm and reduce health inequities.' The PHANZ also recognises that oral health is shaped by a broad range of social determinants. While our recent statement focuses on community water fluoridation, it should be understood within the wider oral health context in Aotearoa New Zealand, including the impacts of childhood poverty, food insecurity, unhealthy food environments, and the unmet demand, and barriers to access, for oral health care across the health system. Improving oral health in Aotearoa New Zealand requires coordinated, cross-sector action, of which community water fluoridation is an important component. • Read the full PHANZ policy position statement: PHANZ Policy Position Statement on Community Water Fluoridation • Watch the PHANZ policy webinar supporting the release of the policy position statement. This webinar includes a brief overview of the policy position statement, followed by a presentation from oral health expert and PHANZ member Heuiwon (Chris) Han. About the Public Health Association of New Zealand The Public Health Association of New Zealand is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting health and well-being in Aotearoa. Comprising a diverse membership, including health professionals, academics, and advocates, the PHA strives to influence policies and practices that address the social determinants of health and advance equitable health outcomes. Visit for more information on our organisation and our Council members. Note: 1 Ministry of Health Manatū Hauora. (2021). Publicly funded hospital discharges – 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019. Wellington: Ministry of Health. july-2018-to-30-june-2019 2 Ministry of Health Manatū Hauora. (2024). Annual data explorer 2023/24: New Zealand health survey [Data File]. 3 4 community-water-fluoridation 5 fluoridated-drinking-water 6
Scoop
14-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Freshwater Is A Public Health Issue – New PHANZ Policy Calls For Action
The Public Health Association of New Zealand (PHANZ) is calling for urgent action to protect freshwater in Aotearoa New Zealand, warning that declining water quality, and the proposed weakening of environmental protections, will continue to put people's health at risk, particularly in rural and disadvantaged communities. Releasing its new policy position statement on Freshwater and Health, the PHANZ emphasises the important relationship between freshwater and health, and the need for a strong health and equity-focused approach to freshwater policy and management that upholds Te Tiriti o Waitangi and strengthens environmental protections. 'Healthy freshwater and functioning ecosystems are critical for healthy, stable communities' says Dr Cadence Kaumoana, Chief Executive. 'When our waterways are polluted, it impacts everything – from drinking water and food safety to mental health and climate resilience.' The PHANZ statement acknowledges that the quality of drinking water and the ecological health of waterways in Aotearoa New Zealand are under increasing pressure from intensified agricultural systems, poor infrastructure, and climate change. The PHANZ notes the public health risks linked to groundwater contamination and rising nitrate levels, and affirms that access to safe, good quality drinking water is a fundamental human right essential to health and wellbeing. The PHANZ strongly supports the Te Mana o Te Wai framework, which is the current decision-making framework for freshwater management in Aotearoa New Zealand. Te Mana o te Wai safeguards the health of freshwater ecosystems and explicitly requires access to safe, good quality drinking water. 'We need a public health approach to be a key part of freshwater policy', says Dr Kaumoana. 'This means ensuring Te Mana o Te Wai remains a core component of freshwater policy, prioritising the health of freshwater ecosystems and the health of people, ahead of commercial and other polluting interests.' The PHANZ's policy position statement comes as the Government is undertaking consultation on proposed changes to Aotearoa New Zealand's Freshwater National Direction. While the proposed changes focus on 'cutting red tape' for commercial entities, experts note that it will mean more pollution in the places we swim, fish, and in communities' drinking water sources. The PHANZ is supporting the public health sector, and the general public, to speak up for a strong public-health approach to freshwater management. The PHANZ has produced a 2-page guidance document, which provides an overview of what is being proposed in the government's consultation, outlines why this is an important issue for public health, and how to make a submission. Read the full PHANZ policy position statement: PHANZ Policy Position Statement on Freshwater and Health Watch the PHANZ policy webinar supporting the release of the policy position statement. This webinar includes a brief overview of the policy position statement, followed by a presentation from public health expert and PHANZ member Marnie Prickett. Have your say on the Government's Freshwater National Direction consultation (closes 11.59pm on Sunday 27 July 2025: Ministry for the Environment's submission form
