iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

May interest Y&H colleagues. 1 in 3 young people from minoritised ethnic communities in Yorkshire had reported symptoms that meet clinical threshold fir anxiety and depression. Poster at GCPHR conference.

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What worries me is the fact that we are really behind the curve and need to quickly up our game if we are to address this contemporary health challenge. #5nations2026

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"It comes down to the stories we tell... Storytelling is how our brains are wired to process info ... one of the most effective ways we learn and engage" BUT "a single compelling story can outperform scientific evidence"! 3/

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Worrying how we're marketed to thru algorithms & social influencers who prey on our health anxieties to profit. Thru leveraging parasocial relationships, medical quackery, fake certainty, & anecdotes, influencers influence followers, bypassing outdated regulations that ban dodgy advertising. 2/

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Day 1 of the 5 Nations Health Protection Conference ends with a really thought provoking and interesting keynote talk by the amazing investigative journalist and author Dr Deborah Cohen on social media, AI and the commodification of health. @debscohen.bsky.social @5-nations.bsky.social 1/

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Finally, many of our current challenges are linked: infectious disease threats, healthcare system pressures, health inequalities, & planetary health challenges including climate. Need joined up approaches.

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Other reflections is a concern re: industrialisation of care vs careful & kind care that healthcare staff want to give & patients want. Current "Repair shop" fixation, instead of prevention focus that's needed. 4/

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Need to: Strengthen public sector resilience. Enhance UK wide collaboration. Embed long term preparedness rather than reactive responses during a crisis. 3/

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#Covid Inquiry module takeaways: Inadequately prepared for a whole system pandemic. Decision-making structures were overly complex, fragmented, and often too slow. The healthcare system entered the pandemic under significant pressure due to shortages, etc 2/

Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Our 5 Nations Health Protection Conference is in Glasgow this year. Fantastic opening address from Prof Gregor Smith, CMO for Scotland, sharing his reflections from the pandemic and what we need to do next 1/ #5nations2026 @5nations.bsky.social

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I'm in Kuala Lumpur this week for the Global Health Security conference where I'll be sharing some of the great work we've been doing with #IANPHI on public health emergency surge response related to the WHO Global Health Emergency Corps framework. If you're there do drop by & say hi! #GHS2026 #GHEC

Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Sobering projections of the #BVD outbreak in the #DRC published in CDC's MMWR. Without rapid effective disease control interventions, this could turn out to be the largest BVD outbreak with thousands of cases and deaths over the next 3 months.Action needed now! #Ebola www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes...

cdc.gov

Modeled Scenario Projections for the Ebola Disease ...

This report describes using a transmission model to project Ebola outbreak growth over three months.

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Reposted by Andrew Lee

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 30/05/2026

At the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the front line is completely overwhelmed. Our chief Africa correspondent, Declan Walsh, describes what he saw in the Ebola ward at Mongbwalu General Hospital. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/w...

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Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Lots of public interest & fears around #hantavirus risk of the returning travellers. However, the other ongoing risk that needs addressing is the risk from potentially infected rodents imported (legally & illegally) from endemic regions. Breeders & fancy rat owners are at particular risk.

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Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Some think a health insurance model should replace the NHS. Ongoing pet insurance issues (eg coverage, comprehensiveness, cost, moral hazard) show how insurance has its own perils. BBC News - I was left with an £8,000 vet bill when my insurer cancelled my pet policy www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

I was left with an £8,000 vet bill when my insurer cancelled my pet policy

Thousands of people have got in touch with BBC Your Voice over concerns about rising pet insurance costs and poor cover.

5 Nations @5-nations.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Reposted by Andrew Lee

⏳ With only one week left, this is your last opportunity to contribute your research to the 5 Nations 2026 programme. 👉 5-nations.com/the-conferen...

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Reposted by Andrew Lee

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control @ecdc.europa.eu · 25/03/2026

First imported human case of influenza A(H9N2) infection in the EU. A human case of avian influenza A(H9N2) infection in a returning traveller from a non-European country where the virus has previously been identified in birds, has been reported in Lombardy, Italy. bit.ly/3O1bVj6 #AvianFlu

bit.ly

First imported human case of influenza A(H9N2) infection in the EU

A human case of avian influenza A(H9N2) infection in a returning traveller from a non-European country where the virus has previously been identified in birds, has been reported in the Lombardy region...

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Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Have you noticed how media stories can be formulaic? 1. Super scary event 2. Heroic responders, desperate measures 3. Who to blame? This formula distorts the truth. Not all events are catastrophic. Measures aren't always desperate, & sometimes no one is to blame. Factual balanced reporting please

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Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

FWIW, I don't think the response to #meningitis in #Kent was delayed. If anything, it has been swift, especially when you consider complexity of the situation, painstaking investigations & tests that need to be done, + organising antibiotic dispensing & vaccines, & multi-agency coordination needed.

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Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

This year's 5 Nations Health Protection Conference is in Glasgow on June 29-30. Registration is now OPEN! Register now & don’t miss the chance to be part of the programme👉5-nations.com/register/ 4 weeks left to submit an abstract, so make sure to submit yours on time! #5Nations #HealthProtection

Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

#Measles #outbreak in #London isn't just a local risk. People travel. So, outbreaks can & do spread elsewhere. High #vaccine coverage levels offers the best protection as it means the virus will have nowhere to go. There'll be pockets where trust in vaccines is low & tailored efforts will be needed.

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Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Anti-vaccine sentiment is rising, boosted by social media, activism & mis-info. Conventional approaches to address convenience, complacency & confidence factors aren't enough. What else can & should we be doing? Read our editorial here www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... @rsph.bsky.social

Addressing the anti-vaccination threat to public health

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Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Sad that UK lost measles elimination status. With insufficient population immunity risk of outbreaks is heightened. It's a nasty illness (pneumonia, encephalitis etc) with long-term consequences (eg deafness, blindness) & it's a killer. Our best defence is achieving high levels of vaccine coverage.

Step 3: Respond using a key message that (a) unmasks the technique used, & (b) relates to the topic raised. Source: Dubé È, Ward JK, Verger P, MacDonald NE. Vaccine hesitancy, acceptance, and anti-vaccination: trends and future prospects for public health. Ann Rev Pub Health. 2021. 3/3

Step 2. Identify the topic (most arguments against vaccines fit within 5 categories): - distrust in health authorities and health care providers - low threat of disease - lack of effectiveness of vaccines - unsafe vaccines - and alternatives to vaccines. 2/3

Step 1. Identify technique used by vaccine critics: - use of conspiracy theories - reference to fake experts - selectivity in evidence used to criticize vaccines (cherry-picking from studies) - impossible expectations (e.g., a vaccine that is 100% safe) - misrepresentation or false logic. 1/3

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Vaccine Hesitancy, Acceptance, and Anti-Vaccination: Trends and Future Prospects for Public Health

The growing #anti-vax sentiment worldwide is quite concerning. For my #publichealth colleagues, if there's one article you read on this topic, I'd recommend 👇 #Vaccine Hesitancy, Acceptance, and Anti-Vaccination: Trends and Future Prospects for Public Health www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...

annualreviews.org

An often-stated public health comment is that “vaccination is a victim of its own success.” While the scientific and medical consensus on the benefits of vaccination is clear and unambiguous, an incre...

Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

New analysis from WHO on vaccine safety based on available evidence found that no causal link exists between vaccines & autism spectrum disorders. Childhood vaccines don't cause autism but they do protect kids against some pretty nasty diseases that you wouldn't want. www.who.int/news/item/11...

who.int

Statement of the WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) on vaccines and autism

On 27 November 2025, the WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) assessed two new systematic literature reviews, performed using robust methodology, on the potential relationship betwe...

Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

#UKHSA has identified a new recombinant #mpox virus in England containing genetic elements from clade Ib & IIb mpox in a returning traveller from Asia. www.gov.uk/government/n...

emjreviews.com

Recombinant Mpox Virus Detected in England

The UKHSA has detected an inter-clade recombinant mpox virus in England; vaccines remain effective and risk to the public is low.

Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

...versus current GP #influenza -like illness rates where rates were <20 per 100,000 for week up to Dec 4. www.gov.uk/government/s... As you say, flu vax important especially for high risk groups, and I don't doubt ongoing NHS pressures and capacity which is a separate matter. ...2/2

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Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

Agree reporting of #flu this season seems disproportionate. Useful to compare historical weekly all age GP influenza-like illness rates (esp 1999/2000 season) (as reported by RCGP surveillance) with rates well over >200 per 100,000 webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/202204... ... (1/2)

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Reposted by Andrew Lee

Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

🧵 Is it a super flu year? Who knows, but I think the current reporting is stupid. A pissed off thread using data. Firstly - here are today's headlines and some from the last 3 years... spot the difference. 1/10

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Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

The evidence was reported to be limited & inconsistent. Medication reviews focused on #deprescribing were linked with reduced mortality in community settings but not in hospitals. Behavioral & educational-behavioral interventions may be effective in reducing hospitalizations. 2/2

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Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

#Polypharmacy in the #elderly is a common issue with considerable consequences. An umbrella review of meta-analyses of RCTs published in #PublicHealth #RSPH journal explores the evidence on interventions to manage polypharmacy in older adults 👇 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... 1/2

Polypharmacy management interventions in older adults: An umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials

To synthesize evidence from meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating interventions aimed at improving polypharmacy management i…

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Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Avoiding corporate amnesia in health systems – the need for organizational memory. Topical in England as major changes to #NHS management takes place & runs the risk of loss of organisational memory embedded in its staff. Editorial in #publichealth #RSPH www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Avoiding corporate amnesia in health systems – the need for organizational memory

Balancing finite resources with rising demand remains a universal challenge for healthcare systems. Organizational decision making is increasingly sha…

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Reposted by Andrew Lee

WHO @who.int · 22/11/2025

To keep antibiotics effective for everyone, here’s what NOT to do: ❌ Do not use antibiotics for colds, flu or sore throats. Antibiotics do not treat viruses. ❌ Do not share your antibiotics with others. ❌ Do not save leftover antibiotics for use later. Learn more 👉 bit.ly/4otAEcV

A bright red WHO graphic with the title “Don’t” in a white speech bubble. Below it are text bubbles:
• “Don’t use antibiotics for common cold, flu and sore throats. They don’t treat viruses.”
• “Don’t share it with others.”
• "Don’t save antibiotics for later.”
At the bottom, bold text reads: “Make smart choices.” and “Protect life-saving medicines for everyone.”

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Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

Mind the (widening) gap: why public health must engage with AI now. "Without deliberate engagement, AI risks reinforcing existing inequities." Interesting commentary by @martinmckee.bsky.social and colleagues in the latest edition of Public Health www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Mind the (widening) gap: why public health must engage with AI now

This commentary aims to highlight the opportunities and challenges that Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents for public health.Narrative commentary a…

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Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

#Flu circulating in UK earlier than previous years. Links to #H3N2 subtype with speculation of a "bad" flu season ahead. Still early days & some uncertainty, but initial analysis by #UKHSA shows reassuring vaccine effectiveness vs severe disease for this year's vaccine. www.gov.uk/government/n...

gov.uk

Flu vaccine providing important protection despite new subclade

UKHSA’s early season data shows vaccination remains best defence alongside good respiratory hygiene as flu activity rises.

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Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Significant association between chemsex & - syphilis (pooled OR: 1.741) - gonorrhea (pooled OR: 1.784) - chlamydia (pooled OR: 1.429) Interventions needed to address chemsex behaviors, including harm reduction strategies, STI prevention programs & culturally competent healthcare services. 2/2

NIHR HPRU in Evaluation and Behavioural Science @hpruebs.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

Reposted by Andrew Lee

📰News!📰Great to see our collaborative research shared by GOV.UK! Thousands with undiagnosed hepatitis and HIV found in A&E testing. Read more ➡️ tinyurl.com/y7h3d926 @jhorwood.bsky.social @nhsengland.bsky.social @ukhsa.bsky.social

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Andrew Lee @andrewleedr.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

Quite like the AI generated comic that summarises an old paper of mine on the access barriers to health care for chronic #HepatitisB in #migrant #Chinese communities in Western countries. Might make reading academic papers much more attractive! onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....

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The research authors note - difficulties communicating urgency of adolescent mental health (AMH) at national level - inconsistent intersectoral collaboration - & lack of clear leadership for AMH. Need for expansion of advocacy networks beyond government & cultivation of strong leadership 2/2

Despite #suicide being the 3rd leading cause of death among adolescents in #Mexico, #mentalhealth services are neglected. This study examines challenges encountered by key stakeholders for the prioritization of adolescent mental health. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... @rsph.bsky.social 1/2

Political priority of adolescent mental health in Mexico: An exploratory mixed-methods study

Despite suicide being the third leading cause of death among individuals aged 15–24 in Mexico, mental health services are neglected. This study examin…

The research authors conclude: - Policies that rely on individual agency are less effective. - There is a need to develop effective policies to protect children from #foodmarketing and #socialmedia exposure which may increase the risk of both obesity and eating disorders. 2/2

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What do kids think of England's public health #obesity policies & weight monitoring? 👉They perceive no real benefits, pay little attention to them, but note potential negative impacts. Read more in this qualitative study in #PublicHealth @rsph.bsky.social www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... 1/2