Andrew Lee
Professor of Public Health, SCHARR, the University of Sheffield.
Editor in Chief, Public Health (journal of the Royal Society for Public Health).
Regional Deputy Director, UKHSA.
Views my own.
sheffield.ac.uk/smph/lee-andrew-pro…
- 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
- 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.
- 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...
- 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
- 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 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
- Neighbourhood social interaction & attachment may buffer the negative impact of living alone on loneliness. Danish study by Jakobsen published in #PublicHealth journal @rsph.bsky.social Read it here: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
- Persistent #inequities and #InverseCare laws for #healthcare #workforce distribution in #England appear largely unchanged over the past 20 years. Article by Clarke, Quinn & Peat in #PublicHealth @rsph.bsky.social www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
- 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...
- #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...
- Reposted by Andrew Lee🧵 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
- #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
- 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
- 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...
- Reposted by Andrew LeeTo 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
- 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...
- #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...
- Association of #chemsex and risk of #chlamydia, #gonorrhoea, and #syphilis infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Latest article in #PublicHealth journal by Satapathy P et al. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... @rsph.bsky.social 1/2
- 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
- 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
- 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....
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- What is the evidence for #HealthImpactAssessments in spatial planning? Ideally HIAs should be a key part of planning processes but it's challenging to get stakeholders to engage. Read this systematic review in #PublicHealth journal @rsph.bsky.social www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
- While many #publichealth interventions target health #inequalities reduction, one review found evaluations often fail to measure this impact explicitly. Highlights the need for systematic inclusion of economic indicators in evaluations of interventions. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
- This week in my MPH disaster management class, we discussed conflict & public health, the drivers of conflict, & how division & grievance can be manufactured. Not a new lecture but feels depressingly apt in our troubled times.
- This is such a good news story! I recall being taught at med school (a few decades ago!) just how grim this disease is. BBC News - Huntington's disease successfully treated for first time - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
- MHRA Drug Safety Update - #Paracetamol and #pregnancy - reminder that taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe. www.gov.uk/drug-safety-...
- Our rapid review just published in Journal of #PublicHealth on the causes of diagnostic and treatment delays for #tuberculosis in low-burden countries: 👇https://academic.oup.com/jpubhealth/article/doi/10.1093/pubmed/fdaf106/8252890 Collaboration of @fohsheffield.bsky.social clinicians & academics.
- Efficacy of #influenza #vaccines & relationship with immunological surrogate endpoints: systematic review & meta-analysis of RCTs. Clin Microbiol Infect www.clinicalmicrobiologyandinfection.org/article/S119... Flu vaccines give mod protection while Inactivated flu vaccines show higher efficacy.
- Is England's 10 year health plan fit for the future? #PopulationHealth isn't & can't be delivered alone by the healthcare system. To be truly transformational, health system reform needs to be public health led. Editorial in Public Health: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... @rsph.bsky.social
- The RSPH journal Public Health has a call for papers for a special issue on #IntegratedCare and #PublicHealth. www.sciencedirect.com/special-issu... Do share & consider writing for publication with us! @rsph.bsky.social
- A systematic review on #cocreation of lifestyle interventions for people with #NCDs reports that when we co-create interventions with people we are more likely to see improvements in health behaviours, physical & mental health. RSPH #PublicHealth journal. lnkd.in/eapB-9bs @rsph.bsky.social
- "Sovereignty, equity, solidarity: progress on the Global Health Emergency Corps". Aspiring to a regional & global ecosystem of coordinated response to emergencies. Our commentary with partners from WHO, IANPHI & others now published: gh.bmj.com/content/10/8... #GHEC #globalhealthemergencycorps
- This death is really tragic and sadly avoidable. We have a safe and effective vaccine. High vaccination coverage protects not just the vaccinated but also the vulnerable in our communities. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
- Article of the month in @rsph.bsky.social journal #PublicHealth: Medicalisation of Public Health by @draraquelnunes.bsky.social Well worth a read www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... 1/2
- The review finds the medicalisation of public health limits systemic reforms by sidelining the social determinants of health & exacerbates inequities by marginalising community-led public health models. With major health system reforms in England underway, public health is needed now more than ever.
- Reposted by Andrew LeeA person from the UK has sadly died after becoming infected with rabies, following contact with a dog abroad. There is no risk to the wider public in relation to this case. 📰🔗 www.gov.uk/government/n...
- I'm running an online short course on the Essentials of Health Protection Practice - just a few places left! Day 1: Monday 2nd June 2025, 9.30am - 4pm (BST) Day 2: Friday 13th June 2025, 9.30am - 4pm (BST) If interested, more info here: www.sheffield.ac.uk/smph/cpd/sho... #healthprotection
- Hot off the press! Cost-effectiveness of tuberculosis infection screening at first reception into English prisons: a model-based analysis Research paper with colleagues from @fohsheffield.bsky.social & @ukhsa.bsky.social #TB #prison #screening
- CALL FOR PAPERS: AI & Public Health The journal Public Health (Royal Society for Public Health) has announced a call for papers for a special issue on artificial intelligence for the prevention of poor health. More info: www.sciencedirect.com/special-issu... Spread the word! #PublicHealth #AI
- Fantastic day at our #5Nations #Healthprotection conference. Really thought-provoking & inspiring talk from our keynote speaker @martinmckee.bsky.social reflecting on the Covid-19 pandemic - many thanks Martin!
- Fabulous day 1 so far of the #5NationsHealthProtection conference in Birmingham. Real buzz in the room. Great to be meeting health protection colleagues & hearing good practice & experience. Many thanks to the wonderful @rtennant.bsky.social for kicking us off & sharing your insights as a DPH.
- Reposted by Andrew Lee"In the 19th century, it was incredibly dangerous to be a child. As of 1900, about 18 percent, or nearly one in five, American children died before their fifth birthday. ..." What changed? Better sanitation, medical advances - and vaccines. www.vox.com/health/40268...
- VACANCY: @rsph.bsky.social journal #PublicHealth is looking for 2 new associate editors. For more info 👇 www.rsph.org.uk/our-services... Closing date 2 May 2025. Good editors help us select impactful content & disseminate public health evidence. Please do share and spread the word! #publichealthsky
- I hope DHSC/NHS England/healthcare commissioners are reading this article on the role of physician / anaesthetic associates. Concerning at so many levels. Will be disheartening for those associates too - urgent work needed to see how best to use this asset safely & cost-effectively.
- 🧵 1/11 📚 Our new rapid systematic review, led by @trishgreenhalgh.bsky.social in @bmj.com examines the role of physician associates (PAs) and anaesthetic associates (AAs) in the UK. This is a crucially important question in light of the Leng Review
