Professor Boyd Swinburn believes churches in the Pacific Islands could be effective preachers of the good news about weight loss because any effective obesity programme needs to address socio-cultural barriers and churches are often the custodians of culture. He has reached this conclusion after a three-year project to reduce obesity levels in the Pacific which worked well in Australia but was ineffective Read more
The parish of Saint Pius the Tenth in Raiwaqa has become the first parish in Fiji to launch a one-year NCD [non communicable disease] awareness program. Parish priest Father Tom Rouse said the awareness focused not only on the parishioners but people living in the parish boundary as well. “Fiji and other parts of the Read more
In a call for broader religious exemptions, the Catholic Health Association has backtracked from its initial support for the Obama administration’s compromise on a rule that mandates employer coverage of contraception and sterilization. The association said it is “imperative” that the administration abandon its “narrow” definition of religious employer and exempt not only churches but Read more
Solomon Islands has reached the World Health Organisation’s target for the elimination of leprosy. However, Director for TB and Leprosy, Doctor Edwin Daiwo, says there are still some hot spots of the disease in parts of the country. Listen to Radio Australia
The Vatican is playing down comments that Pope Benedict is looking thinner, tired and weak. However people who have spent time with him and watching his every movement say they do perceive him weaker, seemingly too tired to engage. Benedict’s frailty was first highlighted a few weeks ago when, like John Paul II in his Read more
A self assessment of transmission risks in Fiji has revealed that a number of people, including health workers, believe prayer a cure for HIV infection. Of the respondents who voiced opinions on the matter, most expressed belief that most other Fijians believe in the efficacy of religious faith, herbal medicines, laying on of hands, Christian prayer Read more
Hato Petera College is recruiting students for a health academy it’s setting up next year.
The North Shore Maori Catholic boarding school is trying to rebuild its roll, which was down to 140 students this year.
Acting Principal Hohepa Campbell says Te Umanga Oranga O Hato Petera is for year 11 to 13 students, who will study NCEA maths, English, Maori, and religious education along with health-related subjects.
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Health boards have been told their employees must be allowed to refuse to assist with abortions, after a Christchurch Hospital technician says she was called to a disciplinary meeting after refusing to prepare instruments. Ken Orr, spokesman for anti-abortion group Right to Life, said a Christchurch Hospital technician had sought help from the group in Read more
Vulnerable children from the most deprived communities have become “silent victims” of the recession, often having to go without healthy food, healthcare and clothing, a new report has found. The yearly Children’s Social Health Monitor, released on Monday, examines the effects of the economic downturn on children. Researchers say children with preventable illnesses are being left untreated Read more
Some churches in New Zealand are taking part in programmes to encourage Pacific Island people to live in a healthier way. Some of the programmes are directed toward weight reduction. Aere Ki Mua is a new church-based health programme which has received $70,000 funding from the Waikato District Health Board’s Healthy Eating Healthy Action (HEHA) programme. Each church project received Read more