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Ben Barr

@benjaminbarr.bsky.social

Professor in Applied Public Health Research. Head WHO collaborating centre for policy research on the determinants of health equity. https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/population-health/staff/benjamin-barr/ . Was once an anthropologist, maybe I still am.

1,881 Followers  |  1,883 Following  |  200 Posts  |  Joined: 15.10.2023  |  2.5232

Latest posts by benjaminbarr.bsky.social on Bluesky

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Today IUCN has officially declared the Slender-billed Curlew extinct, marking the first known global extinction of a formerly widespread migratory bird species whose range included mainland Europe, North Africa, and West Asia.

Read more here โฌ‡๏ธ
www.unep-aewa.org/fr/node/6632

10.10.2025 21:47 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 62    ๐Ÿ” 66    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 4    ๐Ÿ“Œ 11
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NHS could cease to function under Labourโ€™s new visa rules, say nurses Exclusive: Royal College of Nursing says plan to tighten rules for foreign workers is โ€˜panderingโ€™ to Reform UK

The NHS and social care would cease to function under UK govtโ€™s new rules on foreign staff.

Workers will have to wait โ€“ from 5 to 10 years โ€“ before they can apply for indefinite leave to remain, claim any benefit, childcare, or housing support, despite paying taxes

Govt appeasing Reform.

07.10.2025 14:10 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 167    ๐Ÿ” 75    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 12    ๐Ÿ“Œ 5

I know statistics are poorly understood and are misused. But facts matter

Between the 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2021 Census *every* ethnic group in the UK has become *less* geographically segregated and *all* groups, majority and minorities, are more likely to interact with people not like them

07.10.2025 18:24 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1888    ๐Ÿ” 643    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 37    ๐Ÿ“Œ 26
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Today is the 89th anniversary of The Battle of Cable Street when the people of the East End of London halted the march of Oswald Mosleyโ€™s Blackshirts through Stepney.

04.10.2025 15:08 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 860    ๐Ÿ” 267    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 18    ๐Ÿ“Œ 15

#Wigan elects first #Reform councillor into a previously very safe @teamlabouruk.bsky.social ward 1,391 votes to #Labour candidate's 970. If Starmer and @teamlabouruk.bsky.social continue to lean into Reform's view of the world, Lisa Nandy can say goodbye to Parliament at the next election.

03.10.2025 07:07 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
NIHR Open Research Article: Relationships between local public spending, employment and wages within local authorities in England - a longitudinal ecological analysis. Read the latest article version by Tanith C. Rose, Mick McKeown, Konstantinos Daras, Tom Lloyd Goodwin, Julian Manley, Rubab Ahmed, Bruce Hollingsworth, Ioannis Prinos, Ben Barr, at NIHR Open Research...

Increasing local authority procurement from local businesses increases local employment and reduces wage inequality openresearch.nihr.ac.uk/articles/5-8...

02.10.2025 10:41 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Primary Care payment systems to reduce health inequality A discussion on tackling health inequalities by exploring equity-weighted GP funding to better support disadvantaged patients and improve outcomes.

Join the Centre for Health Economics for a discussion on tackling health inequalities by exploring equity-weighted GP funding to better support disadvantaged patients and improve outcomes.

Primary Care payment systems to reduce health inequality - 2 Oct

30.09.2025 11:01 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Sounds like the East India company - wasn't that a public private partnership for colonialism

29.09.2025 21:37 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Had the same conversation with my wife. Never wanted to take UK citizenship, assumed Indefinite Leave to remain meant what it says.

29.09.2025 00:54 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Labour are trying to portray themselves as the patriotic party to appeal to Reform, yet 'they should not have come' is a basic rejection of what many of us feel is genuinely British. And they are failing in their patriotic duties by not warning people about Reform's frontal assault on democracy.

26.09.2025 07:20 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 23    ๐Ÿ” 7    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Recall RFK's claim that doctors & scientists were "on his side" at his last hearing? Wanna prove him wrong?

I'll be ordering post cards soon, so if you're local to me, I can pass some along. I can also send them on your behalf (DM me your info for that).

Or do it yourself--info @ link below.

26.09.2025 01:35 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 61    ๐Ÿ” 32    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 4    ๐Ÿ“Œ 3
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Nowย Keirย insists he โ€˜stands byโ€™ sentiment ofย 'island of strangers' warning SIR Keir Starmer has insisted he still believes in the sentiment behind his infamous โ€œisland of strangersโ€ warning โ€“ saying Britain must be an โ€œintegrated societyโ€. The PM said he โ€œdidnโ€™t disโ€ฆ

He also stands by it www.thesun.co.uk/news/3580587... he is quite happy saying opposite things depending on who he thinks the audience is.

25.09.2025 06:55 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Quite. So many Labour people on this website visibly have no idea of just how bad things have got for ethnic minorities since they came on, and how their visible indifference lands.

24.09.2025 23:47 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1360    ๐Ÿ” 351    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 51    ๐Ÿ“Œ 25
Hey Donald, welcome to Windsor Castle
YouTube video by Led By Donkeys Hey Donald, welcome to Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle Tuesday night. Four of us arrested for 'malicious communications'. Now released.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8V4...

18.09.2025 19:38 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1669    ๐Ÿ” 596    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 119    ๐Ÿ“Œ 75

This is still available- the web page is wrong- email me if interested

17.09.2025 09:56 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Overview

Shape the future of public health with a fully funded PhD at the University of Liverpool. Join a world-leading team using cutting-edge data science and AI to tackle real-world challengesโ€”like homelessness, housing, and urban healthโ€”driving policy change and health equity across Liverpool.

About this opportunity
Are you passionate about making a difference for peopleโ€™s health and wellbeing? Want to learn cutting edge data science skills for real impact?  The University of Liverpool University is excited to announce two fully funded three-year PhD studentship, starting in January 2026.  The PhDs will be based in the Liverpool Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) https://liverpool.gov.uk/council/hdrc-liverpool/ a pioneering initiative aiming to boost research capacity and capability within Liverpool City Council to develop evidence for better health outcomes for all.

Overview Shape the future of public health with a fully funded PhD at the University of Liverpool. Join a world-leading team using cutting-edge data science and AI to tackle real-world challengesโ€”like homelessness, housing, and urban healthโ€”driving policy change and health equity across Liverpool. About this opportunity Are you passionate about making a difference for peopleโ€™s health and wellbeing? Want to learn cutting edge data science skills for real impact? The University of Liverpool University is excited to announce two fully funded three-year PhD studentship, starting in January 2026. The PhDs will be based in the Liverpool Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) https://liverpool.gov.uk/council/hdrc-liverpool/ a pioneering initiative aiming to boost research capacity and capability within Liverpool City Council to develop evidence for better health outcomes for all.

You will work with and be supported by world leading academic expertise as part of the University of Liverpoolโ€™s Heath Inequalities policy research Group (https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/population-health/research/groups/health-inequalities-policy/  a World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Policy Research on Determinants of Health Equity and the Civic Health Innovation Lab (CHIL) that is leading new models for progressive data uses and responsible artificial intelligence in civil society, fuelling innovations for health, social and economic advancement.
 
The PhD studentships will support successful candidates to undertake research in priority areas identified by Liverpool City Council.  Developing new insights for early identification of need and evaluation of effective and cost-effective actions on health in one or more of the following areas:
 
- Homelessness โ€“ developing tools to support early identification of people at risk of homelessness and evaluating effective prevention initiatives.

- Housing โ€“ developing models to inform housing strategy and assessing the cost / benefits of alternative approaches.

- Healthy urban places โ€“ developing healthy urban regeneration and evaluating what works for health promoting urban environments.

- Understanding effective economic strategies for Liverpool that are inclusive, reduce poverty and promote health and wellbeing.

We welcome applications that align with these themes with a focus on using data driven approaches that maximize the benefits of using linked civic data across sectors (health, local government, Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise). The successful candidate should have some prior research or relevant practice experience and a passion for addressing health equity.

You will work with and be supported by world leading academic expertise as part of the University of Liverpoolโ€™s Heath Inequalities policy research Group (https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/population-health/research/groups/health-inequalities-policy/ a World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Policy Research on Determinants of Health Equity and the Civic Health Innovation Lab (CHIL) that is leading new models for progressive data uses and responsible artificial intelligence in civil society, fuelling innovations for health, social and economic advancement. The PhD studentships will support successful candidates to undertake research in priority areas identified by Liverpool City Council. Developing new insights for early identification of need and evaluation of effective and cost-effective actions on health in one or more of the following areas: - Homelessness โ€“ developing tools to support early identification of people at risk of homelessness and evaluating effective prevention initiatives. - Housing โ€“ developing models to inform housing strategy and assessing the cost / benefits of alternative approaches. - Healthy urban places โ€“ developing healthy urban regeneration and evaluating what works for health promoting urban environments. - Understanding effective economic strategies for Liverpool that are inclusive, reduce poverty and promote health and wellbeing. We welcome applications that align with these themes with a focus on using data driven approaches that maximize the benefits of using linked civic data across sectors (health, local government, Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise). The successful candidate should have some prior research or relevant practice experience and a passion for addressing health equity.

Funding your PhD
Fully funded studentship (Home student fees (UK and Northern Ireland only), stipend and a small budget to cover research costs) for UK students only.

Contact us
Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and weโ€™ll be happy to assist you.

Professor Ben Barr: b.barr@liverpool.ac.uk

Funding your PhD Fully funded studentship (Home student fees (UK and Northern Ireland only), stipend and a small budget to cover research costs) for UK students only. Contact us Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and weโ€™ll be happy to assist you. Professor Ben Barr: b.barr@liverpool.ac.uk

3/ Further info

๐Ÿ“ Location: University of Liverpool, UK

๐Ÿ‘ฅ Supervisors: @benjaminbarr.bsky.social | @breconomics.bsky.social

๐Ÿ’ฐ Funding: Fully funded PhD position (Home student fees, stipend and a small budget to cover research costs) โ€“ funding is for three-years duration.

๐Ÿ“… Start Date: Jan 2026

16.09.2025 11:50 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

When someone writes in Latin, do you think itโ€™s fake because nobodyโ€™s a native Latin speaker? Or do you think that theyโ€™re writing in a language which has a multiple millennia old literary history and never actually was lost?

15.09.2025 18:49 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 27    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
Are place-based approaches to reducing health inequalities a highway to success or a policy dead-end? | Journal of Critical Public Health

Journal of Critical Public Health. Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025)

Are Place-Based Approaches to Reducing Health Inequalities a Highway to Success or a Policy Dead-End?

Gerry McCartney & Jennie Popay

journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/jc...

15.09.2025 13:23 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7    ๐Ÿ” 5    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
Letter from Ed Davey to Keir Starmer condemning Elon Musk for inciting violence and urging unity to defend democracy.

Letter from Ed Davey to Keir Starmer condemning Elon Musk for inciting violence and urging unity to defend democracy.

I've written to Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage, urging them to join me in condemning Elon Musk's dangerous remarks inciting violence yesterday.

As leaders, we must stand together and make clear Musk will face serious consequences for these actions.

14.09.2025 18:30 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7012    ๐Ÿ” 1892    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 347    ๐Ÿ“Œ 167

Personal note: went to (some) of the countermarch yesterday, and then watched TV coverage of both.

@sundersays.bsky.social is right that the far-right/racists on the main march are a (small) minority whose numbers are not growing.

It's the apparent paralysis of the majority that scares me. [1/n]

14.09.2025 08:59 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 494    ๐Ÿ” 129    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 32    ๐Ÿ“Œ 14
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Two fully funded studentships in the Department of Public Health, Policy & Systems. at University of Liverpool on FindAPhD.com PhD Project - Two fully funded studentships in the Department of Public Health, Policy & Systems. at University of Liverpool, listed on FindAPhD.com

New funded PhD opportunity working with the Liverpool Health Determinants Research Collaboration www.findaphd.com/phds/project... @local.gov.uk health inequalities @findaphd.bsky.social

13.09.2025 08:44 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Restrict EHCPs to pupils with most severe needs - de Souza Report calls for education, health and care plans to be split into three tiers of support

The next attack

10.09.2025 21:19 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Yet another example of how the UK always sends its best to the US. They must think all Brits are amoral sociopaths.

10.09.2025 20:09 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

A country divided by health inequalities. Solving the UK regional health divide. bmj.com/cgi/content/... @stevensenior.bsky.social @bmj.com

09.09.2025 06:38 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 0    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I'm biased of course but this was great last time and we are hoping it will be fantastic again.

08.09.2025 11:37 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Regional health divisions in the UK Coordinated action is needed to resolve inequalities People in the poorer areas of the UK are dying on average nine years younger than those in more affluent areas.1 This divide, which is the fourth ...

A country divided by health inequalities. Solving the UK regional health divide. bmj.com/cgi/content/... @felly500.bsky.social @jesstud.bsky.social @ipprnorth.bsky.social @clesthinkdo.bsky.social

05.09.2025 09:46 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 11    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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This canโ€™t be allowed to happen, we canโ€™t award a ยฃ2 billion contract to an Israeli arms company in the middle of this genocide, mass starvation and ethnic cleansing.ย Weโ€™re obliged to do what we can to prevent Genocide when we see it happening - not support it.

buff.ly/AiA91i9

06.09.2025 07:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 176    ๐Ÿ” 73    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 3

if this worked to reduce public concerns about immigration, the UK would have the lowest in the world & . . .

05.09.2025 21:20 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 27    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Regional health divisions in the UK Coordinated action is needed to resolve inequalities People in the poorer areas of the UK are dying on average nine years younger than those in more affluent areas.1 This divide, which is the fourth ...

A country divided by health inequalities. Solving the UK regional health divide. bmj.com/cgi/content/... @felly500.bsky.social @jesstud.bsky.social @ipprnorth.bsky.social @clesthinkdo.bsky.social

05.09.2025 09:46 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 6    ๐Ÿ” 11    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

@benjaminbarr is following 20 prominent accounts