iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

surreal to be working in global health as the US administration pursues bilateral deals, kills milktoast UN pandemic resolutions, and and meanwhile our health minister wants to AI to help spread misinformation about basic public health science. 🤯

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Today we convened a meeting of twenty ministers and agency heads with @perryworldhouse.bsky.social, @unaids.org, AUDA-NEPAD, Global Council: African Leadership & Regional Production of Frontier AIDS & other Pandemic Medicines Powerful ideas and some concrete next steps came out. #UNGA

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

We trace it from the NHS registering her as a refugee in 1978, through Uganda’s bush war, to why she now says oligarchy rather than inequality. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and click follow for a new conversation every week. ghpp.georgetown.edu/globalorder/

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I’m so glad to release our first episode of Global Order, "Democracy in an Age of Crisis". My first guest is Winnie Byanyima — UNAIDS EXD, former head of Oxfam, and Ugandan freedom fighter 1/3 open.spotify.com/show/3UVX9xJ...

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Click follow on your podcast platform of choice, and you’ll get a notification for 1st episode—and every one after. We're doing one each week in Sept Listen to the trailer👇 Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g... Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3UVX9xJ... YouTube: www.youtube.com/@GlobalOrder...

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I’m launching a podcast. Global Order is about what happens to health as the old rules of the world break down. Aid frozen, clinics closed, institutions weakened. What comes next is uncertain. Click follow so you don’t miss the 1st episode, out September🔔 open.spotify.com/show/3UVX9xJ...

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

The median household income in the US is $83,730. The average patient in the trial stayed in the drug about 8 months. So new drug costs at least 4x the average US household makes before taxes. Reminder: Monopolies vis patent are NOT the only way to incentivize research.

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

We need to an *Inequality-Informed PPR* The IHRs require all states to build core capacities to reduce systemic pandemic risk. Inequity IS a systemic risk. So we build out a set of achievable inequality-informed measures that could counter inequality instead of having it fuel disease… /fin

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

@josephestiglitz.bsky.social noted today, his econ work shows inequality->less trust, captured policy, insufficient pub goods provision These same factors are disastrous in a pandemic—so even the best surveillance program, health workforce, countermeasure logistics cant be effectively deployed.. 4/5

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

…in our accompanying quantitative analysis finds that economic inequality predicts which countries did better or worse on: ☑️COVID mortality ☑️COVID infection ☑️AIDS deaths ☑️HIV incidence Global Health Security capacity did not. Neither did poverty. Why? 3/5

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Launched in Rio: We show a major gap in global definitions of pandemic preparedness. Health Security capacity is necessary but, we show, insufficient in real world b/c economic inequality blocks countries' ability to deploy even strong technical capacities 🧵Thread... www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Even after COVID-19, why is the world still so vulnerable to pandemics? That's the question I'm taking on at the Breaking the Inequality Cycle session at #AIDS2026, with our new research on why preparedness keeps falling short. (hint, it's not 'global health security' capacity)

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Congratulations to Mariangela Simao , long time champion on aids, rights, access to medicines. Excited to work with you in this exciting new role

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Definitely just made plans to go to the wrong DC airport. Forgot I have layover. Signs of too many planes

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

The heart of broken global health right now: research on disease in Congo that will result in vaccines and meds over which global North researchers have monopoly control. Under what theory of good public health (let alone justice) does that make any sense? www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

So, is this UN decl everything wanted/needed? No. Caveats, missing commitments, words v action. But on balance it made genuine progress over 2021. Any UN document is only what govts, communities make of it, but there's a lot to make here. And in this context, that's a surprising ray of light. /fin

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Funding crisis + visa denials meant that, where past UN HIV meetings were full of amazing leaders from around the world making demands directly, participation was much smaller. BUT powerful speeches in GA hall by PLHIV and CS brought HIV movement. @itpc.bsky.social Solange + Midnight 11/12

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

On policy: What’s in there that’s good? ✔️Access to medicines language is strong, w explicit commitment to transfer of technology and “on mutually agreed terms” is removed, which makes it more progressive than what was in the pandemic agreement or resolutions passed at WHA. (para 80, 82, 84) 8/12

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Ultimately, though, the US pulls only Isreal to no. Burundi, Burkina, Niger had been opposing along with Russia and N Korea. A few more abstain. But 149 governments vote yes including most of Africa group and EU who had been on opposite sides, most progressive gov'ts get big win. 6/12

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

US takes floor. Strong statement on continued commitment on AIDS but slams access/pharma + “divisive social issues” inclusion. And calls for a vote. Everyone holds breath…. 5/12

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Overnight negotiation. Brazil, SA back both. In morning Pres of GA allows both, asks if they can be adopted… one by one they are adopted. EU doesn’t oppose Africa group, Right wing govts don’t oppose EU! Wow. Moment of truth: Will really positive, but resisted, changes tank the resolution? 4/12

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Ammends: ✏️Europe: Add key populations to the para committing to end stigma & discrimination and to reform laws + set targets. Right govts oppose. 🖍️Africa: Strike “on mutually agreed terms” so sharing HIV medicines technology is not subject to monopoly veto by pharma and govts have free hand. 3/12

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

First politics: Coming to HLM, surprisingly strong draft declaration, but friction from multiple corners: Rich govts vs Africa&DevCos on technology transfer & affordable meds; Right wing govts over gay&trans rights, gender. Activists push. Negotiation but no consensus. 2 dramatic amendments... 2/12

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

My Reflection from UN on HIV yesterday. Remarkable, paradoxical, dramatic. At turbulent moment, multilat'lism stuck on many fronts, Political Decl. is STRIKINGLY good on many issues. Fascinating political bedfellows. Signs of HIV crisis biting for com'ities. A thread on politics & policy: 🧵1/12

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

... at last minute EU proposed language on key population and gender-based violence and Africa Group removed "on mutually agreed terms" as a caveat around the sharing of technology. This came after a lot of negotiation and ultimately, both passed and overall resolution passed backed by most of world

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Very sad to see the US aligning w only a handful of governments opposed because of references to sharing technology justly and “social issues” they disagree with the vast majority of the world on. That is indefensible.

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

At the UN member states adopt new high level political declaration on HIV. surprise: it passed with amendments that made it significantly stronger on access to medicines and human rights than original. big deal in a moment where multilateral cooperation is in short supply. Some thoughts…

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Janeese has been both classy and canny. She tapped deeply into a sense across DC that the neoliberal bargain of developer-centered politics in DC hasn't delivered for *most* people. Our ward, most mulit-racial in the city, voted hardest for her, while the wealthiest were the hold outs. Striking.

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Proud to vote early today for @janeese4dc.bsky.social for a more affordable, more just, more bold DC

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Def opportunity dc… and the fact that we both got it makes me really confused

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Ebola, COVID-19, AIDS still continues, the world is failing to tackle pandemics. We've issued an urgent call from global experts at @theindpanel.bsky.social, @theelders.bsky.social Global Council on Inequality, AIDS, and Pandemics

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Thank you, @chathamhouse.org for hosting us today to talk about the pandemic–inequality cycle. Brilliant event where we talked preparedness, national policymaking, and shifting the global financial and trade architecture to address, rather than fuel, pandemics.

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Ok Skoll, I didn’t expect the Francis Collins panel was gonna morph into a concert

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Honored to be @skollfoundation.bsky.social Forum this week at with @drtlaleng.bsky.social talking to change makers, funders, about inequality as a threat to global health security and what we can do about it. Brilliant folks here giving me hope. @ghpp.georgetown.edu @gtownsoh.bsky.social

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Court strikes down “Kennedy Declaration” on transgender care, calling arguments “bald-faced lie” and “gaslighting” RFK can’t unilaterally set standards of care and cannot exclude providers from Medicare/caid for offering care consistent w medical guidelines storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

File under: Institutions captured by our epic levels of inequality.

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Last night got to facilitate an LGBTQ+ listening session with @janeese4dc.bsky.social who spent 2 hours w DC community leaders, showed us what vision, strategy, and commitment look like... and also humility and excitement to learn. This is what leadership for this moment looks like.

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

When I say the weather is rough in DC tonight I mean it’s just me and the ducks out here…

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Thank you all the 300+ folks who turned up today and for heading to the hill tomorrow. And @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social for coming to DC and your inspiring words. TB does not have to kill a Houston,TX size population every year.

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

We are so glad to get to welcome @tbfighters.org @pih.org @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social to Georgetown. Hundreds of grassroots people from across the US to engage policymakers on Tuberculosis. @ghpp.georgetown.edu

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Some of you commenting on the Supreme Court tariffs case have clearly never read social science about courts. A ruling like this this is less sign of independence than a legitimacy-building exercise for President and Court, costs little, protects ruling coalition. See e.g. Hungary, Chile, Uganda.

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Today @nytimes.com Daily podcast on Cuba, not a word about anything Cuban govt accomplished or why Cubans might support it. Of course its complex, plenty to critique, but also many reasons to prefer the Cuban govt to those toppled by US, say, Haiti. Starting with 13 years of additional life.

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

Yes it’s very hard to see why there would be a rise in disruptive, populist politics, given how successful the neoliberal project has been…

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

US democratic backsliding has been faster than in Turkey, Russia, Hungary. Importantly “characterised primarily by one-time unilateral executive actions” which js potentially more reversible. @data.ft.com

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

““History does not reward caution. It rewards the belief that another world is possible and organizing to make it.” @janeese4dc.bsky.social Powerful launch party last night. Our family was so proud and inspired by the campaign she’s building for DC

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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Flu is surging in the US right now. The CDC has run out of colors to depict the severity. But meanwhile RFK and HHS, through a process that breaks major governance norms in how arbitrary it was, decide to stop recommending kids get the flu vaccine.

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