NZ’s next government must look beyond today’s health challenges – a new report shows why
A new report identifies 17 threats to human health through to the year 2100. Many are preventable, but tackling them demands governments think long-term.
New Zealand's next government must consider health challenges beyond the present, according to a recent report by the Lancet Commission. The 37 experts investigated potential health threats through 2100, identifying 17 major catastrophic risks, including obesity, unhealthy diets, inequality, mental health issues, smoking, air pollution, conflict, antimicrobial resistance, pandemics, nuclear war and malicious AI use.
These threats are interrelated and demand coordinated action. Most importantly, the report emphasizes that governments must look beyond short-term electoral cycles and national borders. For Aotearoa New Zealand, the report suggests five priorities: investing in prevention, reducing inequality, protecting the environment, preparing for catastrophic threats, strengthening international cooperation, and holding governments accountable for future wellbeing.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
