Martin McKee

Any Hungary watchers able to explain what the hell is going on with the polls? This is not good for my stress levels.

This is exactly what churches should be doing, calling out injustice.

📌 Lake Street Church Nativity: a bold social justice statement with ICE-like Roman soldiers, the Virgin Mary in a gas mask, baby Jesus zip-tied, Joseph on the ground, pushing viewers to think about immigration.

Statutory levy on gambling may do more harm than good Although a levy would raise funds, May van Schalkwyk and colleagues argue there are many reasons why it may be ineffective at preventing gambling harms The gambling industry is dominated by highly pr...

2/ So maybe we could look at what @maizie333.bsky.social @docsamantha.bsky.social @mikedaube.bsky.social @felly500.bsky.social & I said @bmj.com at time? Even if the money comes, it could well make things worse. A really bad idea badly implemented.

www.bmj.com/content/381/...

Gambling addicts risk losing ‘life-saving’ help due to funding overhaul, say UK charities Specialist clinics and support groups call for government emergency support due to delays caused by new levy system

🧵1/ Many, but far from all health professionals working with gambling harm called for an industry funded levy to support their work. Now the legislation is in place, the money isn’t, and their services are in crisis

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

“These findings support proactive vaccination policies over reliance on infection-acquired immunity and inform rapid response strategies for future pandemic threats.”

EUPHA Statement: Strengthening the Public Health Workforce in Europe EUPHA and co-signatories call on WHO and Member States to invest in training, leadership and governance of the public health workforce.

We in @eupha.bsky.social stand in solidarity with our Australian colleagues as they oppose the unjustified closure of VicHealth
@melissasweetdr.bsky.social
@mikedaube.bsky.social
@simonchapman.bsky.social
@docsamantha.bsky.social
@charlottemar.bsky.social

eupha.org/articles/eup...

Who are the winners and losers of the UK-US pharma deal—it depends which side you believe Behind the UK’s “landmark” pharma deal with the US lies a costly surrender, with higher drug prices, weaker safeguards, and vague promises of investment, write Els Torreele and Martin McKee When the...

7/ The UK must choose:
🔹 A public health system balancing innovation & affordability
OR
🔹 A US-style model of soaring costs & widening inequalities.
Transparency & accountability are non-negotiable.
Read the full article here: www.bmj.com/content/391/...

6/ Big selling point - increase in NICE cost effectiveness threshold. But £30k to £35k a 16% increase and if prices increase by 25%, well ... something commentators seem to have missed (emphasising need to question what one is told)

5/ Higher prices ≠ faster access or better innovation. Real progress needs research infrastructure, collaboration & regulation, not capitulation to industry lobbying.

4/ In return?
✅ Protection from tariffs (already banned under WTO rules)
✅ Vague promises of “billions” in investment—no binding commitments.
Meanwhile, UK firms shift investment to the US.

3/ The deal commits the UK to raise branded drug prices by 25% and weakens safeguards like the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing. Pharma profits soar, NHS budgets shrink.

2/ DHSC press release included approving quotes commenting on text that was unpublished (and it seems, not available to them). Yet UK & US press releases were very different.

🧵1/ The UK-US pharma deal is being sold as a “landmark” win for patients and innovation. But behind the headlines lies a costly surrender, as @elstorreele.bsky.social & I explain @bmj.com

2/

SSPH+ | An Agenda for Public Health Diplomacy in an Age of Populism BackgroundPublic health is under pressure from rising populism, disinformation, and weakened global institutions, threatening cooperation, equity, and trust ...

5/ 8️⃣ Train future leaders in political literacy & negotiation
9️⃣ Defend & reinvent multilateralism
Health must be a cornerstone of peace & prosperity—not a casualty of politics.
Read our full paper here: www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10....

4/ 4️⃣ Protect health workers & journalists
5️⃣ Build alternative accountability systems
6️⃣ Reframe health as a diplomatic priority
7️⃣ Diversify & decentralise funding

3/ Our agenda proposes 9 actions to future-proof public health diplomacy:
1️⃣ Create diplomacy labs for crisis simulation
2️⃣ Empower cities, NGOs & non-state actors
3️⃣ Strengthen ethical communication & listening

2/ Collaboration between @eupha.bsky.social ASPHER @aspph.bsky.social & developed & discussed @gasteinforum.bsky.social
Populism politicises health, suppresses evidence & marginalises vulnerable groups. Traditional diplomacy tools aren’t enough. We need a bold, inclusive, strategic approach.

🧵 1/ Public health is under siege. Populism, disinformation & weakened global institutions threaten trust in science. Here’s how we fight back using the tools of diplomacy. Our new paper, with @charlottemar.bsky.social and colleagues from Europe & US, is just out in Public Health Reviews

It would be nice to find some long lost and so far unknown Italians in the family, especially if they owned a palazzo in Tuscany, but sorry to disappoint ❤️

I’ve only been invited once (but maybe I blocked it). I had exactly the same response

We’re all doing a lot of guessing about what this “deal” really means! Historians often have the texts to work from - we don’t even have that. Just at least two contradictory interpretations! What a mess …

Government racks up £100m bill responding to Covid inquiry BBC analysis shows cost to taxpayer is 50% higher than thought, with inquiry's own costs at £192m.

Yes inquiries cost a lot but the cost of the £ spent by government responding inquiries is a separate matter (solutions are not the same)

The 'extra £100m' spent by government could have been lower if it had been better prepared & willing to engage with the inquiry
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

What am I missing? An increase in NICE’s cost effectiveness threshold from £30 to £35k is 16%. From £20 to £25k is 25%. But if drug prices (cost) increase by 25% then surely there’s no change or, in effect, a lower threshold? If only we could actually read the “deal” …

Exploring Emotional and Cognitive Perceptions of Cervical Cancer Screening and Self‐Sampling Among Vulnerable Romanian Women: A Qualitative Study Introduction This study aimed to explore the emotional and cognitive perceptions of cervical cancer screening (CCS), with a focus on self-sampling for human papillomavirus (HPV) by vulnerable Romani.....

7/ Bottom line: Tackling cervical cancer in Romania means addressing fear, shame & systemic barriers—while embracing innovations like self-sampling. Equity starts with access.
Read the full paper here
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

6/ Solutions? Mobile screening units, culturally sensitive education, family & healthcare provider encouragement, and universal free screening. Policy must prioritize vulnerable groups.

5/ Self-sampling for HPV offers hope. Women liked its privacy & convenience—but initial fear & uncertainty remain. Clear instructions & emotional support are key to acceptance.

4/ Knowledge gaps persist. Some women believe screening is only needed if symptoms appear. Others rely on faith or age as protection. Limited health literacy fuels misconceptions.

3/ Logistical hurdles matter: rural isolation, long travel, lack of insurance & confusing referral systems make screening feel impossible. Poverty amplifies these barriers.

2/ Fear, shame & financial strain dominate decisions. Many women avoid screening due to dread of a cancer diagnosis, embarrassment during exams & prioritizing family needs over their own health.