When Joe Biden's fitness for office was questioned after his debate performance in last year's presidential race, it wasn't the first time that important information about a president's health had been withheld from the American public.
And what many New Zealanders may not realise, is that the same thing has happened here, exposing a weakness in our democratic process which researchers say leaves the country vulnerable.
Professor Nick Wilson is with the University of Otago, Wellington's Department of Public Health.
He joins Jesse Mulligan to discuss the potential safeguards that could be put in place.
Professor Nick Wilson, University of Otago, Wellington - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, Pōneke Photo: SUPPLIED/University of Otago
