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Insights from the Bi-Borough and Shaw Trust Events

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I went to two events last week, both very different in focus but equally valuable. The first was the Bi-Borough Public Health event hosted by Westminster City Council for the VCSE sector. It brought together local community organisations, NHS teams, and public health colleagues from Westminster and RBKC. There were honest conversations about the challenges facing community groups, including funding pressures, but also a real sense of commitment and collaboration. I left with a lot to reflect on, especially around my own career goals and how I want to grow in this space. The second was a community fair run by Shaw Trust , which was patient-facing and full of energy. My organisation had two different teams represented, so it was great to meet colleagues I don’t normally get to work with. I also made some new contacts from other organisations that I know will be useful for upcoming projects. It reminded me how important it is to create spaces where patients can ask questions and engage d...
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Health Systems in Transition: What the NHS Mandate Reveals About Global Reform

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Governments worldwide are rethinking how health systems work. In high-income countries, there’s a growing push for care that is more local, digital, and prevention-focused  trends accelerated by COVID-19. These priorities align with the World Health Organization’s pillars for strengthening health systems, including strong primary care, digital access, and prevention as central to universal health coverage. In January 2025, the UK government released Road to Recovery: The Government’s 2025 Mandate to NHS England . While focused on England, its themes reflect broader global shifts also underway in countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This alignment signals a global shift in health systems with wide-reaching implications beyond national borders. A Global Pattern in Health System Reform Despite differences in structure and funding, many countries are pursuing similar priorities: Care closer to communities General practice, pharmacy, and neighbourhood teams are p...
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From Companionship to Cure: The Global Health Case for Friendship

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Connection is in our DNA   “Social relationships, or the relative lack thereof, constitute a major risk factor for health, rivaling the effect of well established health risk factors such as cigarette smoking, blood pressure, blood lipids, obesity and physical activity.” - House, Landis, and Umberson; Science , 1988 More than three decades later, this finding still rings true. Social connection remains one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools for improving global health. While friendship might not be found on a prescription pad, its impact is no less vital. On 8 June, National Best Friends Day was celebrated across the world. While it may seem like a lighthearted social media moment, there’s something far more important behind it. Friendship is not just a personal joy, it’s a public health asset. From a global health perspective, social connection is increasingly being recognised as a determinant of health. Whether it’s through family, faith communities or friendships, our...
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Your Number One Public Health Message: What Would It Be?

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A recent post in the Public Health Lounge LinkedIn group sparked a valuable discussion among public health professionals. He posed the following question: “Think about a public health message you would shout out to the masses… A message you feel everyone should know, but also feel in their bones.” Public health professionals are often required to manage a wide range of priorities: prevention, policy, equity, engagement, funding, data, and the ongoing challenge of shaping systems while remaining meaningfully connected to communities. This made it particularly interesting to see what message people would choose to prioritise if given just one opportunity to communicate something clearly and publicly. Below are some of the responses: “Health is a basic human right, don't let anyone take it away from you!” “Do something kind. For someone else. Today.” “Poverty kills.” “Health equity isn’t charity. It’s justice.” “You don’t notice public health — until it’s gone.” ...
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Gut Feelings: Why Digestive Health Deserves More Attention in Global Health

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World Digestive Health Day, marked each year on 29 May, rarely commands the attention of global health funders or headline-makers. But it should. Digestive health is not a niche issue, it’s a lens through which we can better understand nutrition, chronic disease, health system gaps, and inequality. Across the globe, millions live with undiagnosed or untreated digestive conditions. These range from common, manageable disorders like reflux or irritable bowel syndrome to life-threatening diseases such as colorectal cancer. In many lower-income countries, people face long journeys to access care if that care exists at all. Diagnostic tools like endoscopy or pathology services may be unavailable, and specialist expertise in gastroenterology is often concentrated in urban centres, far from rural communities. The consequences go beyond discomfort. Poor digestive health affects growth and development in children, contributes to anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies, and increases vulnerab...
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What the UK’s First Uterine Transplant Tells Us About Health Equity

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When baby Amy was born after the UK’s first successful uterine transplant, it made national news and rightly so. This milestone demonstrates not just the power of medical innovation, but what becomes possible when research and investment are directed towards women’s health. Conducted at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the operation involved a live donor transplant and resulted in a healthy pregnancy and birth, a first for the UK, and one of only a few dozen globally. Uterine transplants have been in development for over 20 years, with the first live birth recorded in Sweden in 2014. That it has now reached UK patients is a powerful reminder of how research can transform lives. But breakthroughs like this are rare for a reason. Women’s reproductive and sexual health remains chronically underfunded  despite its widespread and lifelong impact. According to the Women’s Health Strategy for England published by the Department of Health and Social Care , research into...
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Can AI Make Public Engagement Easier for Researchers?

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Ideas for this blog usually come from everyday moments. This one was sparked by a course on Research in Public Engagement especially relevant for those working in patient engagement roles. The course provided an opportunity to revisit key frameworks such as the Concordat to Support Research Integrity and the UK’s standards for public involvement, while also exploring examples of how researchers have engaged the public in the past and the common reasons many haven’t. A consistent theme emerged: most researchers value public involvement, but feel they lack the time, skills, or support to do it meaningfully. A 2021 PLOS One study found that while most life scientists saw value in engaging the public, only 32% had actually done it. That gap between good intentions and practical action is where AI could make a real difference. AI tools can support researchers in communicating their work more effectively and inclusively. For example: Lay summaries and plain language A...
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