title: Epidemiology of ischaemic stroke and traumatic brain injury

authors: Feigin, Valery L.

subjects: ischaemic stroke

abstract: Acquired brain injury, including both Ischaemic stroke (IS) and Traumatic Brain injury (TBI), is one of the most common causes of disability and death in adults. Yet there are vast differences in our knowledge of their epidemiology. While the incidence, case-fatality and risk factors for stroke are well established, work needs to continue particularly in low-income countries, where these data remain sparse; and in relation to specific stroke subtypes such as IS. Similar data regarding the epidemiology of TBI are generally lacking. The majority of TBI incidence studies have focussed on hospital-based samples and there are no established criteria from which to design high quality epidemiological studies. The need to establish such criteria separate from those already available for stroke is suggested given the differing demographic profile of TBI as well as differences in seeking of medical attention for TBI. The immense burden of stroke can be reduced by prevention of modifiable risk factors particularly in developing countries where both changing lifestyle and lack of healthcare resources are contributing to rising stroke incidence and mortality. Similarly, studies to date indicate that TBI incidence can be reduced by addressing modifiable risk factors such as alcohol abuse, risk-taking behaviour and socioeconomic disparities.

text: Epidemiology of ischaemic stroke and traumatic brain injury Acquired brain injury, including both Ischaemic stroke (IS) and Traumatic Brain injury (TBI), is one of the most common causes of disability and death in adults. Yet there are vast differences in our knowledge of their epidemiology. While the incidence, case-fatality and risk factors for stroke are well established, work needs to continue particularly in low-income countries, where these data remain sparse; and in relation to specific stroke subtypes such as IS. Similar data regarding the epidemiology of TBI are generally lacking. The majority of TBI incidence studies have focussed on hospital-based samples and there are no established criteria from which to design high quality epidemiological studies. The need to establish such criteria separate from those already available for stroke is suggested given the differing demographic profile of TBI as well as differences in seeking of medical attention for TBI. The immense burden of stroke can be reduced by prevention of modifiable risk factors particularly in developing countries where both changing lifestyle and lack of healthcare resources are contributing to rising stroke incidence and mortality. Similarly, studies to date indicate that TBI incidence can be reduced by addressing modifiable risk factors such as alcohol abuse, risk-taking behaviour and socioeconomic disparities.

year: 2010

title: International symposium on volcanic-ash soils and field workshop in Mt Fuji area, Japan - conference report

authors: Lowe, David J.

abstract: An international symposium on Andisols and related soils, comprising one day of invited lectures at the Ikuta campus of Meiji University (17 March, 2006) and a two-day field trip in the Mt Fuji-Hakone area (18–19 March), was convened by soil scientist Professor Hiroshi Takesako, School of Agriculture, Meiji University (Ikuta campus), Kawasaki city, Kanagawa prefecture (near Tokyo). The 44 symposium and field trip were followed by the 50th anniversary meeting of the Japanese Society of Pedology (JSP), which consisted of one day of presentations (20 March) in the College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University (Shonann campus), Fujisawa city, Kanagawa prefecture. The symposium was sponsored by the Institute of Science and Technology of Meiji University, and by JSP.  
Prof. Hiroshi Takesako, who twice has visited the Department of Earth Sciences at University of Waikato (in September, 2001 – see Lowe, 2001 – and in August-September, 2004), organized the symposium partly to expose his students to an international panel of English-speaking soil scientists with some expertise in Andisols or related volcanic-ash derived soils. Hiroshi was also keen to sponsor and support scientists from developing Asian countries (and New Zealand). Consequently, six invited speakers each presented ~40-minute lectures on the first day of the symposium. All wrote up their lectures as papers for publication in the Proceedings (edited by Hiroshi Takesako). Copies of powerpoint presentations were made available as handouts (most in colour) for the participants to help enable them to follow the talks. Around 50 geoscientists and students attended the symposium lectures.

text: International symposium on volcanic-ash soils and field workshop in Mt Fuji area, Japan - conference report An international symposium on Andisols and related soils, comprising one day of invited lectures at the Ikuta campus of Meiji University (17 March, 2006) and a two-day field trip in the Mt Fuji-Hakone area (18–19 March), was convened by soil scientist Professor Hiroshi Takesako, School of Agriculture, Meiji University (Ikuta campus), Kawasaki city, Kanagawa prefecture (near Tokyo). The 44 symposium and field trip were followed by the 50th anniversary meeting of the Japanese Society of Pedology (JSP), which consisted of one day of presentations (20 March) in the College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University (Shonann campus), Fujisawa city, Kanagawa prefecture. The symposium was sponsored by the Institute of Science and Technology of Meiji University, and by JSP.  
Prof. Hiroshi Takesako, who twice has visited the Department of Earth Sciences at University of Waikato (in September, 2001 – see Lowe, 2001 – and in August-September, 2004), organized the symposium partly to expose his students to an international panel of English-speaking soil scientists with some expertise in Andisols or related volcanic-ash derived soils. Hiroshi was also keen to sponsor and support scientists from developing Asian countries (and New Zealand). Consequently, six invited speakers each presented ~40-minute lectures on the first day of the symposium. All wrote up their lectures as papers for publication in the Proceedings (edited by Hiroshi Takesako). Copies of powerpoint presentations were made available as handouts (most in colour) for the participants to help enable them to follow the talks. Around 50 geoscientists and students attended the symposium lectures.

year: 2006

title: An examination of DHB climate change policy and implementation: Responsiveness to Māori health

authors: Powell, Elisha

abstract: The impacts of climate change have become increasingly evident throughout the world and in Aotearoa. Frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as flooding, coastal erosion, wildfires, and droughts are notably increasing. Climate-related disasters have devastating effects on human health, as is well documented in literature. These effects include cardiovascular disease, poorer mental health, food insecurity and water borne disease. 

Due to pre-existing health disparities, Māori are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change. Further, Māori have unique relationships with whenua wherein destruction of the natural environment will have a negative impact on the health of Māori people and communities. The health sector has an obligation to respond to Māori health in a way that honours Māori relationships with the environment and prioritises equitable health outcomes for Māori in climate change policy. 

Although Māori face potentially severe health impacts due to climate change, there is limited literature that considers health sector climate change policy and its responsiveness to Māori health. In an effort to address this gap in literature, this thesis aims to examine whether there is existing District Health Board (DHB) policy focused on implementing institutional responses to climate change. Further, this research seeks to understand the extent to which any identified DHB climate change policy responds to Māori health. 

At the time of study, DHBs were responsible for providing and funding health services throughout Aotearoa. During the late stages of this research, the health sector underwent reform, and two health authorities have replaced DHBs. The implications of this research have important ramifications within the newly established health authorities. A dedicated Māori health authority will provide the health sector with the chance to advance health equity by acting on holistic understandings of health for Māori. These actions would establish health policy that recognises Māori health as fundamentally linked to the environment and therefore uniquely impacted by climate change. 

To achieve the aims of this thesis, two research methods were implemented. Initially, an environmental scan of 17 DHB websites was completed to identify climate change and Māori health policies. This was followed by qualitative interviews with three DHB staff from diverse localities. Additionally, tāngata whenua interviews from the wider research project named Haumanu Hauora, were analysed to ensure Māori understandings of climate change were included in this research (Masters-Awatere et al., 2022). 

Research findings provide insights that point to highly fragmented climate change policies across the health sector. There is a glaring lack of direction in the health sector's response to climate change throughout existing policy. Māori health policies were in place across all DHBs, however, lacked recognition of the interconnection between Māori health and the natural environment, and therefore the impacts of climate change. 

Although policy was fragmented across regions, there is potential to enhance both climate change and Māori health policies by recognising the interconnected nature of Māori health and climate change. This will necessitate a significant change in the health systems policy response to climate change that prioritises mātauranga Māori and addresses the ongoing impacts of colonisation.

text: An examination of DHB climate change policy and implementation: Responsiveness to Māori health The impacts of climate change have become increasingly evident throughout the world and in Aotearoa. Frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as flooding, coastal erosion, wildfires, and droughts are notably increasing. Climate-related disasters have devastating effects on human health, as is well documented in literature. These effects include cardiovascular disease, poorer mental health, food insecurity and water borne disease. 

Due to pre-existing health disparities, Māori are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change. Further, Māori have unique relationships with whenua wherein destruction of the natural environment will have a negative impact on the health of Māori people and communities. The health sector has an obligation to respond to Māori health in a way that honours Māori relationships with the environment and prioritises equitable health outcomes for Māori in climate change policy. 

Although Māori face potentially severe health impacts due to climate change, there is limited literature that considers health sector climate change policy and its responsiveness to Māori health. In an effort to address this gap in literature, this thesis aims to examine whether there is existing District Health Board (DHB) policy focused on implementing institutional responses to climate change. Further, this research seeks to understand the extent to which any identified DHB climate change policy responds to Māori health. 

At the time of study, DHBs were responsible for providing and funding health services throughout Aotearoa. During the late stages of this research, the health sector underwent reform, and two health authorities have replaced DHBs. The implications of this research have important ramifications within the newly established health authorities. A dedicated Māori health authority will provide the health sector with the chance to advance health equity by acting on holistic understandings of health for Māori. These actions would establish health policy that recognises Māori health as fundamentally linked to the environment and therefore uniquely impacted by climate change. 

To achieve the aims of this thesis, two research methods were implemented. Initially, an environmental scan of 17 DHB websites was completed to identify climate change and Māori health policies. This was followed by qualitative interviews with three DHB staff from diverse localities. Additionally, tāngata whenua interviews from the wider research project named Haumanu Hauora, were analysed to ensure Māori understandings of climate change were included in this research (Masters-Awatere et al., 2022). 

Research findings provide insights that point to highly fragmented climate change policies across the health sector. There is a glaring lack of direction in the health sector's response to climate change throughout existing policy. Māori health policies were in place across all DHBs, however, lacked recognition of the interconnection between Māori health and the natural environment, and therefore the impacts of climate change. 

Although policy was fragmented across regions, there is potential to enhance both climate change and Māori health policies by recognising the interconnected nature of Māori health and climate change. This will necessitate a significant change in the health systems policy response to climate change that prioritises mātauranga Māori and addresses the ongoing impacts of colonisation.

year: 2025