End-of-life care in an Australian acute hospital: a retrospective observational study.

Background: There is a gap in knowledge about the kind and quality of care experienced by hospital patients at the end of their lives.

Aims: To document and compare the patterns in end-of-life care for patients dying across a range of different medical units in an acute care hospital.

Methods: A retrospective observational study of consecutive adult inpatient deaths between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2014 in four different medical units of an Australian tertiary referral hospital was performed.

Effects of plain packaging, warning labels, and taxes on young people's predicted sugar-sweetened beverage preferences: an experimental study.

Background: Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is associated with increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and dental caries. Our aim was to assess the effects of plain packaging, warning labels, and a 20 % tax on predicted SSB preferences, beliefs and purchase probabilities amongst young people.

Methods: A 2 × 3 × 2 between-group experimental study was conducted over a one-week period in August 2014.

A qualitative analysis of messages to promote smoking cessation among pregnant women.

Objectives: Although aware that smoking while pregnant presents serious risks to their unborn children, some women continue to smoke and rationalise their dissonance rather than quit. We explored metaphors women used to frame smoking and quitting, then developed cessation messages that drew on these metaphors and examined the perceived effectiveness of these.

Participants: We used a two-phase qualitative study.

Interpretive front-of-pack nutrition labels. Comparing competing recommendations.

Many stakeholders support introducing an interpretive front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition label, but disagree over the form it should take. In late 2012, an expert working group established by the New Zealand government recommended the adoption of an untested summary rating system: a Star label. This study used a best-worst scaling choice experiment to estimate how labels featuring the new Star rating, the Multiple Traffic Light (MTL), Daily Intake Guide (DIG), and a no-FOP control affected consumers' choice behaviours and product perceptions.

Public support for more action on smoking.

An online survey of 414 smokers and 414 non-smokers found strong support among New Zealanders for more tobacco control interventions. In particular, support for interventions that will protect children--smokefree playgrounds and smokefree cars when children are in them--was very high among both smokers and non-smokers. Predictably, non-smokers were more likely than smokers to support other tobacco control interventions including extending outdoor smokefree areas and restricting the availability of tobacco.

'The times are changing': New Zealand smokers' perceptions of the tobacco endgame.

Background: The New Zealand government's goal of achieving a smoke-free society by 2025 reflects growing interest in 'endgame' solutions to tobacco smoking. However, tobacco companies have framed 'endgame' strategies as contrary to individual freedoms and 'choice'; these claims heighten politicians' sensitivity to 'nanny state' allegations and may undermine tobacco control policies. Public support for stronger policies could strengthen political will; however, little is known about how smokers perceive endgame scenarios or the factors underlying their support or opposition to these.

Social smokers' management of conflicted identities.

Background: Although social smoking has increased among young adults, it remains a poorly understood behaviour. The authors explored how young adult social smokers viewed and defined smoking and the strategies they used to reconcile their conflicting smoker and non-smoker identities. The authors also examined alcohol's role in facilitating social smoking and investigated measures that would decouple drinking and smoking.

An exploration of parents' food purchasing behaviours.

A qualitative study explored factors that influence parents' food purchasing behaviours in supermarkets and away-from-home settings, particularly the role played by nutrition information. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 parents of young children in a provincial city in New Zealand. A semi-structured protocol was used to elicit factors influencing food purchases and explore the understanding and influence of existing nutrition labels.

Consumers' knowledge, perceptions, and responsiveness to direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medicines.

Aim: This research explored whether direct-to-consumer-advertising of prescription medicines (DTCA) increased disadvantaged consumers' knowledge of important health issues and encouraged those with lower health knowledge to consult their doctor (as has been argued by supporters of DTCA).

Method: A mail survey of 1042 New Zealanders was undertaken between October and December 2002 using a stratified random sample drawn from the electoral roll. After two reminders were sent, 632 completed questionnaires were returned (64% response rate).

New Zealand general practitioners' views on direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medicines: a qualitative analysis.

Aim: To explore the range of opinions held by a sample of New Zealand general practitioners (GPs) toward direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription medicines.

Method: Depth interviews were conducted with 20 GPs. The interview protocol examined several aspects of the debate over DTCA, including its appropriateness, informativeness, and effect on doctors' relationships with their patients.