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Helen Ward

@profhelenward.bsky.social
2.3K followers 237 following 198 posts

Prof Public Health Imperial College. she/her. Social, genetic & environmental factors in health. Research & advocacy in long COVID, STI/HIV, inequalities. Patient Experience Research Centre

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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Our new article - in a philosophy journal! - on how we view participation in biobanks (research studies that collect blood or tissue samples). Discussion has focused on the presumed altruism of participation when reciprocity may be a more appropriate framing. link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com
Biobanks, the ‘diagnostic misconception’ and the distinction between altruism and reciprocity - Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy
In this paper, we revisit the topic of genetic biobanks and the ethical issues surrounding them. Focusing on the centrality of altruism to their conception, design and governance, we explore the ways ...
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Summer’s not over yet
Spaniel with sunglasses
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Happy wet dog on the beach
A smiling, wet brown sprocker spaniel on a pebble beach with the sea in the background and the sun reflecting on the sea
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Never tire of this view
Sunrise in Deal, looking out over the North Sea and the pier
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
please stop calling this thuggery. It is terrorism.
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Long Covid UK @longcoviduk.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
We are excited to announce that Long Covid Support has become Long Covid UK. Nothing about our purpose has changed. We are still here to support people living with Long Covid and to drive the change that is urgently needed. 1/
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Chantal Britt @chantalbritt.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
More than 6 years after the pandemic started, people with long covid and myalgic encephalomyelitis are still struggling to cope with their physical disabilities as well as the stigmatisation and psychologisation, while research, healthcare and support are inadequate. www.rts.ch/info/sante/2...
rts.ch
Six ans après la pandémie, que deviennent les malades du Covid long ?
Le 19 février dernier, un jeune Autrichien de 22 ans, Samuel, fait appel au suicide assisté pour mettre fin à sa "souffrance inimaginable" causée par le Covid long. Plus de six ans après le début de l...
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Matthew Cobb @matthewcobb.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
State of the Gironde fires at 09:00 French time. They are extending.
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
My word of the day - akimbo which came to mind looking at how my dog was sitting. Surprised to see that it’s etymology is Middle English meaning sharp angle.
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George Davey Smith @mendelrandom.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Does the (live) shingles vaccine protect against dementia? Fergus Hamilton and colleagues provide important evidence in a new preprint using hospital data from the whole of England in a regression discontinuity design from which we *don't* show evidence of a meaningful protective effect /cont
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Does anyone care?
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Greg Folkers @gregfolkers.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
OFID: Preparing for the Next Pandemic: Learning From COVID-19 to Build What Comes Next by Maria Van Kerkhove @mvankerkhove.bsky.social bit.ly/4phW8uw
bit.ly
Preparing for the Next Pandemic: Learning From COVID-19 to Build What Comes Next
Abstract. WHO's efforts to strengthen pandemic preparedness—grounded in what the world learned during COVID-19 and what today's outbreaks of avian influenz
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
So little coverage of Arthur Fery’s progress at Wimbledon. Imagine if it had been Raducanu into the quarter finals…
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Imperial Medicine @imperialmed.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
@imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social researchers have secured £12.7 million in funding from the UK’s @aria-research.bsky.social to develop new ways to protect people from respiratory viruses. www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article...
imperial.ac.uk
Imperial secures £12.7m from ARIA to develop broad protection against respiratory viruses
Imperial researchers have secured £12.7 million in funding from the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA), to develop new wa...
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Prof Nisreen Alwan @nisreenalwan.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
If you have #LongCovid how can you tell if you've fully recovered? 6 yrs of evidence & collective lived experience show us this is not an easy question to answer, yet reaching consensus on the definition of recovery is essential for research & care. Our piece @bmj.com www.bmj.com/content/393/...
bmj.com
What does it mean to recover from long covid?
Defining recovery is essential for research, clinical care, and patient experience, say Charlie Dennis and Nisreen A Alwan If you have long covid, how can you tell if you have fully recovered? Six y...
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Imperial Patient Experience Research Centre (PERC) @imperialperc.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
📣Our team is growing! We are looking for 5 new people to help us expand the work we are doing to support community engagement and involvement in translational research. Visit the Imperial College Jobs website and apply: tinyurl.com/3k7vmxzu
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Prof Nisreen Alwan @nisreenalwan.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
This study shows an association between low emission zones and cardiovascular & all cause hospital admissions. If this is a causal effect the mechanism may not only be through air pollution but could be active travel behaviour through less noise, feeling safer etc www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Emergency hospital admissions fell after introduction of London’s T-charge and Ulez, study suggests
Imperial College scientists analysed health records before and after introduction of air pollution reduction zones
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
A proper spaniel walk - retrieving the ball, chasing stick, ‘find-it’ games (working dogs love it). And she found the only muddy water in the park of course…
My brown sprocker spaniel in the woods with a muddy nose, sitting on my knee and smiling
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
We are hiring 5 new posts for @imperialperc.bsky.social Posts are on the Imperial College Jobs website under Faculty of Medicine/ School of Public Health www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
linkedin.com
We are hiring! 5 new posts in the Patient Experience Research Centre at Imperial College London to expand the work we are doing to support community engagement and involvement in translational… | Pro...
We are hiring! 5 new posts in the Patient Experience Research Centre at Imperial College London to expand the work we are doing to support community engagement and involvement in translational resear...
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
We are hiring 5 new posts for @imperialperc.bsky.social Posts are on the Imperial College Jobs website under Faculty of Medicine/ School of Public Health www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
linkedin.com
We are hiring! 5 new posts in the Patient Experience Research Centre at Imperial College London to expand the work we are doing to support community engagement and involvement in translational… | Pro...
We are hiring! 5 new posts in the Patient Experience Research Centre at Imperial College London to expand the work we are doing to support community engagement and involvement in translational resear...
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Prof Nisreen Alwan @nisreenalwan.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
All the professional organisations still on X, get off it now! What are you still doing there? Stop putting your head in the sand pretending it’s keep calm and carry on mode still. It’s not. Time to make a stand, otherwise you’re signalling that you just don’t care!
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
@matthewcobb.bsky.social
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Zarah Sultana MP @zarahsultana.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Please retweet.
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
A new initiative in partnership with our REACT study to help speed up demential trials. www.itv.com/watch/news/u...
itv.com
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Joseph Lewczak (Truth Seeker) @truthseeker59.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
This painting, "Sidekicks II" by Michele Poirier-Mozzone, is an oil on canvas from her Massachusetts-based "Fractured Light" series, exploring water and sunlight's effects on humans. It depicts an underwater perspective looking up.
This painting is titled "Sidekicks II" and was created by the American contemporary artist Michele Poirier-Mozzone. 
Based in Massachusetts, Poirier-Mozzone is known for her "Fractured Light" series, which explores the transformative effects of water and sunlight on the human form. This particular work is an oil on canvas piece that captures a unique underwater perspective, looking up toward the surface. Her work often emphasizes
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Finally!! www.thetimes.com/article/5e62...
thetimes.com
Publishers go paperback-first as readers shun bulky books
Hardback titles remain profitable, yet fewer readers favour the format
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
So proud of the work of my PhD student, @sarindiary.bsky.social for her inspiring work addressing racism in maternity care, alongside community partners like Phayza Fudlalla, pictured with Sarindi in this report, who works with @imperialperc.bsky.social. www.imperial.ac.uk/stories/sari...
imperial.ac.uk
Advocating against racism in maternity care
#CelebratingEngagement with Sarindi Aryasinghe
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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
A lobbyist who worked directly for Peter Mandelson, on the Palantir board, and on the board of *four* NHS trusts. Lobbying the NHS to hand over even more patient data to Palantir. This absolutely stinks. Get Palantir out of the NHS. Sign my petition: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/st...
NHS official pushed to add patient data to Palantir platform whilst also advising company
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
One of the more interesting headlines of the day www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
theguardian.com
Man in Sicily trained his dog to illegally dump rubbish, say police
City of Catania calls ruse to avoid CCTV cameras installed to stop fly-tipping ‘as cunning as it is doubly wrong’
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
👇🏼 the reality for tens of thousands of people with Long COVID
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Stephen Curry @scurry.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
Epstein and his male buddies unmasked. Christ, what a sordid lot they are. www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
theguardian.com
Sex and snacks, but no seat at the table: the role of women in Epstein’s sordid men’s club
Files reveal a world of flattery and fratboy tones, where rich men are cultivated and women provide services
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Stephen Curry @scurry.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Astounding words and performance. Take 2 mins to listen to it.
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Cllr Dr David Nicholl @drdavidnicholl.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
www.theguardian.com/politics/202... Absolutely needs to happen…why was Mandelson organising unminuted meetings with #Palantir & the PM
theguardian.com
Mandelson’s links with US tech firm Palantir must be fully exposed, campaigners warn
Government faces call for transparency on former peer’s involvement amid fears he may have leaked more sensitive information
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Peter Daszak @peterdaszak.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
While we’re all distracted by ICE, Greenland & other Trump political theater, US quietly leaves WHO & in true Trump character reneges on $270 million debt, breaking the law.. abcnews.go.com/amp/Health/u...
abcnews.go.com
US officially exits World Health Organization, accusing agency of straying 'from its core mission'
The U.S. has officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, HHS and the Department of State announced on Thursday.
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Prof Gavin Yamey MD MPH @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
Thank you, @jeremyfaust.bsky.social, for this public service; we have all wanted to see the protocol of this deeply unethical trial being funded by RFK Jr in Guinea-Bissau, I’m grateful you obtained it and have published it insidemedicine.substack.com/p/scoop-the-...
insidemedicine.substack.com
Scoop: The leaked protocol of the CDC-funded Hepatitis B vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau. “This is another Tuskegee.”
The protocol reveals that the trial will withhold the Hepatitis B birth dose from thousands—without placebos, without universal maternal screening, and with endpoints critics call indefensible.
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
I feel seen...
media.tenor.com
a woman with red hair is making a funny face with the word ex written in green
ALT: a woman with red hair is making a funny face with the word ex written in green
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Our latest article in @thelancet.com looks at COVID vaccine hesitancy in a large population study in the UK. Most vaccine hesitant people go on to get vaccinated.... a useful summary here in Nature. Link to the original article in reply www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Client Challenge
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Anyone else feel like we are living through Roth's The Plot Against America?
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Shutting down X is no longer a matter of free speech. It is a matter of child protection.
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
Would help if they allowed dogs on the pier… IMHO www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Brighton’s historic Palace Pier up for sale as tourist numbers fall
BPG hopes to find buyer for Grade II-listed structure by the summer after slump in profits and rising costs
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
Congratulations Jeanne!
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Jeanne has long been one of my heroes. Now even more!
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Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Way to go, Dr. Marrazzo! Push back and hold these folks accountable for their actions!
media.tenor.com
a cartoon of spongebob and a snail with the nick logo in the corner
ALT: a cartoon of spongebob and a snail with the nick logo in the corner
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
Interesting - I've recently received several draft articles from my research group for my comment/edits. I'm assuming they were all on their "must do by Xmas" list... Now i've got to see if I can turn them all round by then as well....!
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Billy Hanlon @bhanlon15.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
Nature: 'Long-COVID research just got a big funding boost: will it find new treatments?' 'The German government has committed half a billion euros for research on long COVID and other post-infection syndromes.' By Michael Marshall www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Long-COVID research just got a big funding boost: will it find new treatments?
The German government has committed half a billion euros for research on long COVID and other post-infection syndromes.
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Senator Bernie Sanders @sanders.senate.gov · 05/12/2025
Sec. Kennedy must appear before the HELP Committee to explain why his vaccine advisory committee, in strong disagreement with the medical & scientific community, voted to end a decades-long recommendation that newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine. This vaccine saves lives.
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
As the COVID Enquiry reports now, some of use made these points at the time www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
We scientists said lock down. But UK politicians refused to listen | Helen Ward
For 11 fateful days in March, the government ignored the best coronavirus advice, says public health professor Helen Ward
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
As the COVID Enquiry reports now, some of use made these points at the time www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
We scientists said lock down. But UK politicians refused to listen | Helen Ward
For 11 fateful days in March, the government ignored the best coronavirus advice, says public health professor Helen Ward
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Helen Ward @profhelenward.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
2 weeks to read this before meeting up with the author!! @matthewcobb.bsky.social
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