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Inequalities in sustainable transport use in Aotearoa New Zealand: gender, intersectionality, and commuting using sustainable modes
No full textBackground:
Sustainable transport (ST) offers significant public health benefit. Increasing ST-use, as an alternative to motor-vehicle transport, is a significant strategy for reducing/mitigating environmental damage. Furthermore, ST is an effective strategy to combat physical inactivity and the negative health outcomes related to this. Finally, ST-use has numerous social benefits by facilitating social interactions and therefore helping to build social capital.
Because ST has numerous public health benefits for individuals, communities, and the planet, a deeper understanding of trends and inequities is extremely important. Understanding how gender, especially when examined from an intersectional perspective, taking into account ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES), connect to determine transport use will shed light on some of the barriers and enablers to ST-use.
Methods:
I performed a cross-sectional study using data from three different Censuses – Census 2001, Census 2006 and Census 2013. The Census collects data on many aspects of NZ life, including travel-to-work. I analysed respondents’ answers to this question, looking specifically at people who cycled, used public transport (public bus or train) (PT) or walked/jogged to work.
I compared the prevalence of cycling, PT-use and walking to work between women and men, overall and in different groups: women and men of different ethnicities, and different NZDep quintiles. I compared use of each mode across each group over time to see if there were changes in ST-use between 2001 and 2013. I also performed logistic regression to further investigate the association between gender and ST mode choice. I controlled for demographic variables, SES variables and household characteristics.
Results
Cycling, PT or walking were not common modes of transport among men or women. Women, regardless of ethnicity or SES or Census year, were more likely to use PT or walk to commute Men, regardless of SES or ethnicity or Census year, were more likely to cycle to work. Although women were less likely to cycle compared to men, they were more likely to use sustainable modes overall. However, despite these consistent trends across ethnic group and NZDep quintiles, ST-use did differ by sociodemographic group and by gender within each sociodemographic group.
Discussion
Strategies need to be introduced to increase ST-use. However, for strategies to be effective, they need to take into account the differences in ST-use among New Zealand’s population. This research showed that there are significant differences in ST-use between women and men. Furthermore, this research also showed the importance of approaching gender from an intersectional perspective when investigating gendered associations with ST as ST-use varied by ethnicity and NZDep quintile within each gender and by gender within each ethnic group and NZDep quintile.
Many of the differences in ST-use are connected to how gender (from an intersectional perspective) operates in society, effecting social processes on individual, interactional and institutional-levels. Strategies to increase ST-use must address these multi-level gendered barriers and enablers of ST-use. I discuss three potential strategies to increase ST-use in New Zealand, in light of my findings: further research, high-quality infrastructure and approaching transport as a social policy
New Zealand's trade with the Pacific islands, 1870-1900
No full textThe hopes and dreams of those who wished to see New Zealand as the political and commercial headquarters of an island empire in the South Pacific saw the first practical attempt made in this direction in the year 1847. Although constitutionally unable to further such aims, Governor Sir George Grey already envisaged, in 1847, a Pacific peopled by the British and governed from New Zealand. Convinced of the genuineness of Tongan and Fijian appeals to be taken inside British
protection, Grey recommended the annexation of the islands by Great Britain. But the British Government remained unmoved by Grey's arguments that the islands would afford a valuable defence for New Zealand and Australia in time of war, that the natives could augment the military resources of the Empire and that their wealth would soon make them self-supporting.
The year 1847 also saw the founding by Bishop Selwyn of the Melanesian Mission. New Zealand thus became the base for the missionary outreach to the islands. of Melanesia. The welfare of the native
inhabitants, both spiritual and material, became the responsibility of the Anglican Church of New Zealand. This inevitably meant a growing concern over the labour traffic in the islands culminating in the public outcry after the murder of Bishop Patteson in 1871. The genuineness of much of the agitation at the time for the securing of a central point among the Pacific Islands, for the suppression of this traffic cannot be doubted. But it is true that this tragic event was used as fresh evidence in favour of the annexation of islands by the embryo colonial imperialists in the New Zealand of the 1870's. […]
The purpose of this examination of New Zealand's trade with the Pacific islands in 1870 and 1900 is to demonstrate that Vogel's hopes for the establishment of a trading company had no justification in fact. This is not a case of the investigator attempting to demonstrate his wisdom after gaining access to now available relevant facts and figures. Sufficient information was available to Vogel at the time to prove the impracticability of his scheme. One must accept the verdict that Vogel's trading company scheme was to be a means to an end- the end being the realisation of Vogel's dream of New Zealand as the new Britain of the South, the headquarters of a Polynesian Empire. [Extract from Introduction
Enrichment in Specific Fatty acids profile of Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia Illucens larvae through feeding. Future Food
No full textTenebrio molitor (mealworms) and Hermetia illucens (Black soldier fly) larvae were analysed for the effect of feed composition on the fatty acid profiles. The larvae were raised on various feeds to which the basal diet had been supplemented to various levels with seed meals (flax seed, chia seed, hemp seed, and rapeseed). Fatty acid classes and composition of both insect larvae were similar in T. molitor and H. illucens larvae fat; however, the actual percentage composition differed; saturated (28.61% and 86.75%), monounsaturated (MUFA) (52.89% and 7.94%), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids (18.49% and 5.31%). The supplementation of the basal diet resulted in larvae fat with increased omega-3 fatty acids levels, and subsequently a lower omega-6 to omega-3 ratio ( T. molitor ; 4.28:1 in the diet with 10% chia seed, H. illucens ; 3.52:1 in the diet with 20% hemp seed) than those of the basal diets (50:1 and 9.91:1 in T. molitor and H. illucens respectively). In most of the larvae samples, the ratio achieved was closer to that recommended for a healthy diet
Review of Online Food Delivery Platforms and their Impacts on Sustainability
No full textDuring the global 2020 COVID-19 outbreak, the advantages of online food delivery (FD) were obvious, as it facilitated consumer access to prepared meals and enabled food providers to keep operating. However, online FD is not without its critics, with reports of consumer and restaurant boycotts. It is, therefore, time to take stock and consider the broader impacts of online FD, and what they mean for the stakeholders involved. Using the three pillars of sustainability as a lens through which to consider the impacts, this review presents the most up-to-date research in this field, revealing a raft of positive and negative impacts. From an economic standpoint, while online FD provides job and sale opportunities, it has been criticized for the high commission it charges restaurants and questionable working conditions for delivery people. From a social perspective, online FD affects the relationship between consumers and their food, as well as influencing public health outcomes and traffic systems. Environmental impacts include the significant generation of waste and its high carbon footprints. Moving forward, stakeholders must consider how best to mitigate the negative and promote the positive impacts of online FD to ensure that it is sustainable in every sense
A Quantitative Survey of Consumer Perceptions of Smart Food Packaging in China
No full textThis study quantified the acceptability of smart food packaging technologies and determined their associations with sociodemographic, attitudinal, and behavioral characteristics of consumers in China. Two quantitative surveys were conducted using an intercept method in Beijing with one for intelligent food packaging and the other for active food packaging. Chi-square tests of independence and contingency tables were used to determine the acceptability of smart food packaging and significant associations with multiple variables. Smart packaging was accepted by 56% of participants in both surveys. Marital status and employment status were associated with the acceptance of active packaging, while consumer interactions with current food packaging were associated with the acceptance of intelligent packaging. Acceptance of both active and intelligent packaging was associated with trust in multiple institutions. This study is the first to provide broad information about Chinese consumers' acceptance of smart packaging technologies for food products. Findings from this research can contribute to further detailed consumer studies in product-specific packaging designs
Evaluation of the tuberculosis control programme in prisons and the post-release continuation of tuberculosis treatment in Malaysia
No full textBackground:
Poorly managed tuberculosis (TB) control programmes in prisons have detrimental health consequences, placing prisoners at an increased risk for TB morbidity and mortality. This situation could further fuel the TB epidemic in the general population when prisoners are released with uncompleted treatment in prisons and default from treatment in the community. Despite the recognised risk, limited information exists about the burden of TB, the performance of TB control programmes, and the continuity of TB care after release from prisons in Malaysia, a country with an increasing TB burden over the past two decades.
Objectives:
This PhD project was designed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of active TB among new prison entrants, to assess gaps in the performance of the prison’s TB programme using standardised parameters, to investigate the proportion of released prisoners who continue treatment in the community, and to evaluate factors influencing the continuation of TB treatment after release from prisons in Malaysia.
Methods:
In the first study, we screened prisoners entering the largest prison in Malaysia to determine those who needed further TB assessment. All HIV-infected and symptomatic non-HIV infected prisoners were asked to submit sputum specimens to be examined using GeneXpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) or culture. Factors associated with TB disease, define as Xpert- or culture-positive tests, were assessed using regression analyses. In the second study, we developed parameters and assessable indicators to evaluate gaps in the performance of the TB control programme in the same prison. The parameters include policies and human resources; screening, case detection and notification; treatment initiation, follow-up, and outcome; TB care for HIV-infected prisoners; and knowledge about TB. Data gathering tools and data sources (local and international TB guidelines and TB system assessment publications) were utilised to measure the performance indicators under these parameters and determine system performance gaps. In the third study, prisoners who were due to be released from five prisons were recruited and followed up to identify the proportion of former prisoners who continued treatment in the community. Factors associated with failure to register at a TB clinic within 30 days of release were assessed in regression analyses. In the fourth study, factors influencing the continuation of TB treatment in the community were evaluated in a group of prisoners with previous TB episodes using in-depth interviews. We utilised a thematic framework analysis to identify relevant themes.
Results:
In the first study, 10,335 participants were recruited. Among HIV-infected prisoners (N=214), 12.6% had TB disease compared with 0.29% of non-HIV-infected prisoners. Among non-HIV infected prisoners, prevalent TB disease was independently associated with older age, current drug use, a previous TB episode, and being underweight. In the second study, we found that the national TB guidelines did not include a section on TB in prisons and that there was an average of 2.19 healthcare workers for every 1,000 prisoners. Furthermore, only 54.2% of new entrants were screened for TB, there was a 37.6% case detection ratio, and only 45.5% of TB cases were notified to the national TB programme. While treatment initiation was high (91%), only half (50.7%) were followed up after two months inside the prison, the treatment success rate was 72.8%, the mortality ratio was 125 per 100,000 prisoners, and only 73.3% were offered TB documentation before release. TB care for HIV-infected prisoners was similarly suboptimal with 22.1% screened for TB disease at entry, only 1.6% were provided with preventive therapy, and 12.9% were prescribed HIV treatment while on TB treatment. Knowledge about TB was very limited, particularly among prisoners compared to prison officers (6.8% and 67.2% correctly answered TB questions, respectively). In the third study, 106 participants recruited. Of these, 47 (44.3%) did not register at a TB clinic to continue treatment after release, and this was independently associated with younger age, pre-incarceration unstable housing and employment, failure to provide contact details, a previous TB episode, and not being supplied with TB documentation at the time of the release from prisons. In the fourth study, we recruited five prisoners who continued, and seven who discontinued treatment of their TB after release from prisons. Key themes related to the continuation of TB treatment after release were the prison environment and attention to prisoner care, prisoner perception and attitude, the presence of a supportive environment during the transition to the community, social support, and welcoming community healthcare services.
Conclusion
There is a high prevalence of TB disease among new entrants to prison in Malaysia, likely representing cases missed by the community health services. There are several gaps in the performance of the TB control programme in prisons; a situation that may promote TB transmission in prisons and the larger general population. Almost half of the prisoners who are released while still on TB treatment abandons treatment after release and that several factors influence whether they continue treatment in the community. These findings warrant the establishment of an effective TB control programme in prisons supported with policy changes, proper funding, trained healthcare workers and adequate communication between the prisons and the public health department
A mixed-methods study of retail food waste in New Zealand
No full textLittle is known about the amount of food wasted in the retail sector. This study aimed to quantify retail food waste in New Zealand (NZ) and identify key drivers for food waste reduction, using a mixed-methods, observational study design that consisted of three parts: onsite food waste audits undertaken in 16 selected stores (complete data from 11 stores); semi-structured interviews with key retail staff from each store; and obtaining existing data from retailers. Retail food waste in NZ was estimated at 13 kg/capita/year for all food waste and diverted product (i.e. all food not sold or utilised at a retail level), which included 5 kg/capita/year designated as food waste (i.e. food directed to landfill, protein reprocessing and compost), with 3 kg/capita/year of this sent to landfill. Fresh vegetables (27%), bakery (23%), meat and fish (19%) and fresh fruit (17%) contributed the most to discarded product. The motivators for encouraging food waste reduction were: concern for the environment; making profit; caring for the community; and doing the ‘right’ thing. The barriers to food waste reduction were: training and educating staff; food safety concerns; quality standards; availability and capacity of waste diversion avenues; and lack of available resources. Audit data and food waste data recorded by retailers were similar. NZ has a number of policies and practices that successfully divert retail food waste away from landfill, in particular, retailers have established relationships with various groups that use their waste as a resource including protein reprocessors, local farmers, and food rescue charities
Chinese Consumers’ Perceptions of Functional Foods: A Netnography Study of Foods that Help the Immune System Recover from Air Pollution
No full textIn China, persistent and severe episodes of poor air quality have raised the population’s awareness of the deleterious impact that air pollution can have on their health and lead many people to explore physical means to limit their exposure to air pollution and therapies to help their immune system cope with this stress. Using a netnographic approach we explored Chinese consumers’ understandings of the impacts on their health caused by air pollution, and the key attributes (expected benefits, forms, and patterns of consumption) they expect of functional foods designed to help them recover from the pollution-driven impact. Relevant Chinese consumers’ discussions were selected from two Community Question Answering websites, “Zhihu” and “Baidu Knows”. The impact of pollution on the respiratory system was considered to be of the most concern and homemade TCM therapies and diet adjustment were the main forms of remedies discussed online. Results from this study will support the commercial success of functional food products designed to help Chinese consumers recover from the impact of air pollution on their health
Expectancy versus experience–Comparing Portion-Size-Effect during pre-meal planning and actual intake
No full textResearch on eating behaviour has confirmed that portion size can substantially influence intake, a phenomenon known as the Portion-Size-Effect (PSE). Despite extensive research interest, there is limited understanding about the PSE on intended consumption (often measured by Expected Intake). It also remains unclear whether the presentation of food cues (e.g., Word Descriptors; Food Images) can modulate PSE during pre-meal planning. The current study addressed these questions by comparing PSE on intended versus actual consumption, with 62 participants based on a within-subject design. Participants firstly rated Expected Intake for a pasta dish of three sizes (400, 600, and 800 g), with each size presented in three different formats of food cues. The participants' actual pasta intake with the three portion sizes was tested in three ad libitum sessions over 7 weeks. The results suggested that Expected Intake increases as portion size becomes larger, following a nearly linear relationship. In comparison, the Actual Intake had a smaller increment after the presented portion size exceeded the ‘appropriate’ range. Relating to these results, the pre-meal PSE was found to be comparable to the actual PSE with moderate portion sizes (i.e., 600 g-400 g), but significantly stronger than the actual effect with large portion sizes. Overall, our data support the hypothesis that portion size can have a stronger influence on meal planning than actual food intake, and show that the format of food cues has considerable influence on Expected Intake. Studies of pre-meal planning should carefully consider the role of portion sizes and food cues on Expected Intake
Empowering Students in Higher-Education to Teach and Learn
No full textWe explored opportunities, advantages and barriers to enabling students to establish student-led learning events at a New Zealand university. We used an action-research approach to explore if students felt empowered to use the infrastructure of this university to realise something that they themselves set out to achieve. We discovered that, in achieving a series of open discussions about sustainability, students adopted a democratic, distributed form of decision-making, not unlike a typical academic model, with leaders taking temporary roles that included passing on responsibility to those who followed. Students were proud of the events they created and identified the discussion format as something different from their experience as undergraduate students in our institution. This article, co-authored by staff and students, considers whether higher education processes that do empower students do so adequately and the extent to which students are prepared by higher education to take on powerful roles after they graduate