Peer reviews of the 2021 report 'Fluoridation: an update on evidence' by Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor
John Christie made this Official Information request to Jacinda Ardern
The request was refused by Jacinda Ardern.
From: John Christie
Dear Jacinda Ardern,
I have noted that during the debate in Parliament on the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill Associate Minister of Health Ayesha Verrall said “This bill enables the director-general to direct local authorities to fluoridate their water supply. By having a consistent decision maker with access to the best scientific evidence, we will promote fluoridation across the country.”
In response to an OIA request to the Ministry of Health concerning some recent scientific studies on the safety of water fluoridation, I was informed that the Ministry had not analysed any of the ones I had specified, and referred me to an OPMCSA report for information on one of them.
The analysis in that report seemed to be based mainly on a 2020 review paper from Germany. This paper did not examine any neurotoxicity studies published after August 2019.
Since that date, a large number of new studies have been published, but I could find no analysis of these in the OPMCSA report. This suggests to me that the Director-General of Health will in fact not have access to the best scientific evidence.
I am therefore concerned to know what the peer reviewers of the report had to say, in particular any comments they may have had about the recent evidence and on what mechanisms exist for the Ministry to keep abreast of new developments as they occur.
Yours faithfully,
John Christie
From: Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern
Kia ora
Thank you for taking the time to get in touch with Prime Minister Jacinda
Ardern.
If you are writing about an issue relating to COVID-19, mental health,
Immigration, housing or benefit assistance, here's a list of links which
you might find helpful:
COVID-19
For urgent queries around Managed Isolation availability and/or exemptions
go to miq.govt.nz
Requesting an emergency allocation:
[1]https://www.miq.govt.nz/travel-to-new-ze...
/
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[2]https://www.miq.govt.nz/about/contact-us... /.
For information on COVID-19, including the latest updates, go to
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If you are concerned that someone is not following the COVID-19
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[3]https://forms.police.govt.nz/forms/covid...
Information about the COVID-19 Protection Framework can be found here:
[4]https://covid19.govt.nz/traffic-lights/c...
and guidance for businesses can be found here:
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Current locations of interest are set out at
[6]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
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You can find the nearest testing centre to you at
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or by calling 0800 28 29 26.
To get your My Vaccine Pass online head to
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giving COVID-19 vaccines can also help with My Vaccine Pass face to face,
and can be found here:
[11]https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19-v...
.
For immigration and visa advice
Contact the call centre which is open 6:00am Monday to midnight on
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[12]https://www.immigration.govt.nz/contact
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∙ Call 0800 559 009 (for under 65)
∙ Call 0800 552 002 (for over 65)
Information on Work and Income’ opening hours over the Christmas and New
Year Period is available here:
[13]www.workandincome.govt.nz/about-work-and-income/news/2020/christmas-new-year-holiday-information.html
If you need treatment or support for your health or wellbeing:
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Healthline – You can call Healthline for health advice on freephone 0800
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1737 – If you need to talk to someone about how you are feeling, you can
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Mental health crisis teams – If you are concerned that someone is going to
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[14]www.health.govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/health-care-services/mental-health-services/crisis-assessment-teams
For Police assistance in an emergency call 111.
For everything else use 105.
You can also make a report online at [15]105.police.govt.nz,
We hope that this information is helpful, if not we will try to get back
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Thank you again
Office of the Prime Minister
show quoted sections
From: Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern
I am writing on behalf of the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, to acknowledge receipt of your Official Information Act request.
Your request will be responded to under the provisions of the Official Information Act 1982.
Yours sincerely
Dinah Okeby
Office of the Prime Minister
show quoted sections
From: J Ardern (MIN)
Jacinda Ardern
Tēnā koe,
On behalf of Raj Nahna, I attach a letter in response to your OIA request.
Ngā mihi,
Private Secretary (Executive Support)
Office of the Prime Minister
Authorised by Rt. Hon Jacinda Ardern MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
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