Jenn Dowd
@drjenndowd.bsky.social
Prof of Demography & Population Health @oxforddemsci.bsky.social | Mortality, Epidemiology, Infections/Immunity, Biosocial science, COVID-19. | Science Communicator 🇺🇸 in 🇬🇧.
Substack: https://jenndowd.substack.com
Substack: https://jenndowd.substack.com
Pinned
Jenn Dowd
@drjenndowd.bsky.social
· Mar 19
Data for Health | Jenn Dowd, PhD | Substack
Demystifying data for a longer, healthier life. Click to read Data for Health, by Jenn Dowd, PhD, a Substack publication.
jenndowd.substack.com
Please subscribe to my Substack for data driven takes on health & science: jenndowd.substack.com
Oh yay..."flu jab SOS" from the NHS... go get yours y'all! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
November 10, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Oh yay..."flu jab SOS" from the NHS... go get yours y'all! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
1/ Pretty amazing new results showing an unexpected benefit of mRNA vaccines. Patients who received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy survived almost twice as long. jenndowd.substack.com/p/can-mrna-v... #episky #medsky #cancer
November 10, 2025 at 12:12 PM
1/ Pretty amazing new results showing an unexpected benefit of mRNA vaccines. Patients who received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy survived almost twice as long. jenndowd.substack.com/p/can-mrna-v... #episky #medsky #cancer
Reposted by Jenn Dowd
Thinking only of Rosalind Franklin today, and what was stolen from her (and so many other female scientists alongside her).
Rosalind Franklin and the damage of gender harassment
Spurred by a recent report on sexual harassment in academia, our columnist revisits a historical case and reflects on what has changed—and what hasn’t
www.science.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Thinking only of Rosalind Franklin today, and what was stolen from her (and so many other female scientists alongside her).
Reposted by Jenn Dowd
The early flu season in England continues to build, while the latest Covid wave continues to recede.
Latest UKHSA hospital admission data up to 27 Oct.
Latest UKHSA hospital admission data up to 27 Oct.
November 6, 2025 at 7:28 PM
The early flu season in England continues to build, while the latest Covid wave continues to recede.
Latest UKHSA hospital admission data up to 27 Oct.
Latest UKHSA hospital admission data up to 27 Oct.
This is exactly the right response to these headlines
A List of Things Said to Have Been Ruined by Women
🧵
🧵
November 7, 2025 at 9:25 AM
This is exactly the right response to these headlines
Super interesting (and hopeful) trend, though I really wish the confidence intervals around these estimates were available somewhere @gallup.com?
news.gallup.com/poll/696599/...
news.gallup.com/poll/696599/...
November 4, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Super interesting (and hopeful) trend, though I really wish the confidence intervals around these estimates were available somewhere @gallup.com?
news.gallup.com/poll/696599/...
news.gallup.com/poll/696599/...
Reposted by Jenn Dowd
2/ I will be presenting this at @harvardpopcenter.bsky.social on Weds: popcenter.harvard.edu/blog/calenda...
More details on the paper -- which we started 2+ years ago -- later. We've tried to write it as simply and transparently as possible and walk through every step of the logic.
More details on the paper -- which we started 2+ years ago -- later. We've tried to write it as simply and transparently as possible and walk through every step of the logic.
Social Demography Seminar with Atheendar Venkataramani (co-sponsored by SBS) – Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies
A Harvard University cross-school, interfaculty initiative administered by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
popcenter.harvard.edu
November 3, 2025 at 3:23 PM
2/ I will be presenting this at @harvardpopcenter.bsky.social on Weds: popcenter.harvard.edu/blog/calenda...
More details on the paper -- which we started 2+ years ago -- later. We've tried to write it as simply and transparently as possible and walk through every step of the logic.
More details on the paper -- which we started 2+ years ago -- later. We've tried to write it as simply and transparently as possible and walk through every step of the logic.
Reposted by Jenn Dowd
Level up your epidemiological research skills!
University of Aberdeen's new online short course (March 2026) offers MPH-level training in study design, causal inference & more.
Find out more at abdn.ac.uk/epi-short-co...
#Epidemiology #ASCE2026 #PublicHealth
University of Aberdeen's new online short course (March 2026) offers MPH-level training in study design, causal inference & more.
Find out more at abdn.ac.uk/epi-short-co...
#Epidemiology #ASCE2026 #PublicHealth
Aberdeen Short Course in Epidemiology 2026 | The Institute of Applied Health Sciences | The University of Aberdeen
abdn.ac.uk
November 3, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Level up your epidemiological research skills!
University of Aberdeen's new online short course (March 2026) offers MPH-level training in study design, causal inference & more.
Find out more at abdn.ac.uk/epi-short-co...
#Epidemiology #ASCE2026 #PublicHealth
University of Aberdeen's new online short course (March 2026) offers MPH-level training in study design, causal inference & more.
Find out more at abdn.ac.uk/epi-short-co...
#Epidemiology #ASCE2026 #PublicHealth
A full week spent with inspiring women at Saïd Business School was time well spent! "Women Transforming Leadership" challenged our notions of leadership & showed us firsthand the power of women working together.
@oxforddemsci.bsky.social @oxpop.bsky.social @nuffieldcollege.bsky.social
@oxforddemsci.bsky.social @oxpop.bsky.social @nuffieldcollege.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 8:24 PM
A full week spent with inspiring women at Saïd Business School was time well spent! "Women Transforming Leadership" challenged our notions of leadership & showed us firsthand the power of women working together.
@oxforddemsci.bsky.social @oxpop.bsky.social @nuffieldcollege.bsky.social
@oxforddemsci.bsky.social @oxpop.bsky.social @nuffieldcollege.bsky.social
Reposted by Jenn Dowd
This graph never fails to be shocking: "The US has experienced the earliest and greatest slowdown in life expectancy improvements among higher-income countries, reported Eileen Crimmins. “We have horrible life expectancy—and it’s getting worse and worse”"
www.prb.org/resources/se...
www.prb.org/resources/se...
October 31, 2025 at 7:08 PM
This graph never fails to be shocking: "The US has experienced the earliest and greatest slowdown in life expectancy improvements among higher-income countries, reported Eileen Crimmins. “We have horrible life expectancy—and it’s getting worse and worse”"
www.prb.org/resources/se...
www.prb.org/resources/se...
Are the cardiovascular benefits of GLP-1s just a result of losing weight? Probably not--a significant portion of risk reduction seems to be independent of weight loss.
jenndowd.substack.com/p/ozempic-fo... #publichealth #episky #medsky
jenndowd.substack.com/p/ozempic-fo... #publichealth #episky #medsky
November 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Are the cardiovascular benefits of GLP-1s just a result of losing weight? Probably not--a significant portion of risk reduction seems to be independent of weight loss.
jenndowd.substack.com/p/ozempic-fo... #publichealth #episky #medsky
jenndowd.substack.com/p/ozempic-fo... #publichealth #episky #medsky
Reposted by Jenn Dowd
If Atheen is writing a book on x then you will want to read his book on x.
I'm writing a book on this and why I think it's happening. Here are some forces at play that may explain our poor performance with life expectancy since the 1980s.
November 1, 2025 at 11:37 PM
If Atheen is writing a book on x then you will want to read his book on x.
Reposted by Jenn Dowd
I'm writing a book on this and why I think it's happening. Here are some forces at play that may explain our poor performance with life expectancy since the 1980s.
November 1, 2025 at 6:08 PM
I'm writing a book on this and why I think it's happening. Here are some forces at play that may explain our poor performance with life expectancy since the 1980s.
The RSV vaccine is relatively new on the scene but proving remarkably effective at reducing hospitalizations in babies & older adults. The RSV season is about to ramp up, so get that protection if you are eligible!
jenndowd.substack.com/p/who-should... #medsky #episky #publichealth
jenndowd.substack.com/p/who-should... #medsky #episky #publichealth
Who Should Get the RSV Vaccine?
Babies and older adults are eligible for this newly available protection
jenndowd.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:46 PM
The RSV vaccine is relatively new on the scene but proving remarkably effective at reducing hospitalizations in babies & older adults. The RSV season is about to ramp up, so get that protection if you are eligible!
jenndowd.substack.com/p/who-should... #medsky #episky #publichealth
jenndowd.substack.com/p/who-should... #medsky #episky #publichealth
Reposted by Jenn Dowd
Working with sociologists @courtneyboen.bsky.social and @rourkeobrien.bsky.social has been a game-changer for me.
I feel like someday I might be able to really understand social science in a broad sense.
I feel like someday I might be able to really understand social science in a broad sense.
Hot take: More sociologists and economists need to work together.
October 29, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Working with sociologists @courtneyboen.bsky.social and @rourkeobrien.bsky.social has been a game-changer for me.
I feel like someday I might be able to really understand social science in a broad sense.
I feel like someday I might be able to really understand social science in a broad sense.
Reposted by Jenn Dowd
✍️ Just out: Annette Baudisch & I delve into the formal demography of fertility, birth, & reproduction timing. 👶 We use methods from mortality research to summarize when in the parental life course children are born. 📆 1/n
doi.org/10.1080/0032...
@sdu.dk @oxforddemsci.bsky.social @mpidr.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1080/0032...
@sdu.dk @oxforddemsci.bsky.social @mpidr.bsky.social
Fertility, birth, reproduction: Connecting formal demographic frameworks
The conventional framework of fertility research conceptualizes childbirth from the mother’s perspective. From her perspective, birth is an uncertain and potentially recurring event. In contrast, t...
doi.org
October 7, 2025 at 12:51 PM
✍️ Just out: Annette Baudisch & I delve into the formal demography of fertility, birth, & reproduction timing. 👶 We use methods from mortality research to summarize when in the parental life course children are born. 📆 1/n
doi.org/10.1080/0032...
@sdu.dk @oxforddemsci.bsky.social @mpidr.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1080/0032...
@sdu.dk @oxforddemsci.bsky.social @mpidr.bsky.social
Reposted by Jenn Dowd
1/ Seasonal influenza summary from latest @ukhsa.bsky.social surveillance report. #IDSky #EpiSky 🧪
🗓️ Based on data up to week 42 2025 (13-19 Oct 2025)
📊 Seasonal influenza activity in England is increasing. Now above baseline levels for some indicators.
Report 🔗: www.gov.uk/government/s...
🗓️ Based on data up to week 42 2025 (13-19 Oct 2025)
📊 Seasonal influenza activity in England is increasing. Now above baseline levels for some indicators.
Report 🔗: www.gov.uk/government/s...
National flu and COVID-19 surveillance report: 23 October 2025 (week 43)
www.gov.uk
October 24, 2025 at 12:57 PM
1/ Seasonal influenza summary from latest @ukhsa.bsky.social surveillance report. #IDSky #EpiSky 🧪
🗓️ Based on data up to week 42 2025 (13-19 Oct 2025)
📊 Seasonal influenza activity in England is increasing. Now above baseline levels for some indicators.
Report 🔗: www.gov.uk/government/s...
🗓️ Based on data up to week 42 2025 (13-19 Oct 2025)
📊 Seasonal influenza activity in England is increasing. Now above baseline levels for some indicators.
Report 🔗: www.gov.uk/government/s...
Reposted by Jenn Dowd
3 #PostDoc researcher positions at @helsinki.fi in collaboration with IIASA @iiasa.ac.at and MPIDR @mpidr.bsky.social on population projections, migration dynamics, and human capital development
#demography #박사후연구
www.vaestoliitto.fi/en/news/post...
#demography #박사후연구
www.vaestoliitto.fi/en/news/post...
Postdoctoral Researchers in Demography and Population Projections
The Population Research Institute (PRI) at Väestöliitto – Family Federation of Finland and the University of Helsinki invite applications for three positions as Postdoctoral research fellow to study…
www.vaestoliitto.fi
October 24, 2025 at 10:38 AM
3 #PostDoc researcher positions at @helsinki.fi in collaboration with IIASA @iiasa.ac.at and MPIDR @mpidr.bsky.social on population projections, migration dynamics, and human capital development
#demography #박사후연구
www.vaestoliitto.fi/en/news/post...
#demography #박사후연구
www.vaestoliitto.fi/en/news/post...
Reposted by Jenn Dowd
In a new piece for @statnews.com, @lizstuart.bsky.social explores the challenges of studying cause and effect.
She recently joined us for a related conversation on causal relationships between Tylenol and autism 👇
🎧 podcast.publichealth.jhu.edu/953-interpre...
✏️ www.statnews.com/2025/10/23/c...
She recently joined us for a related conversation on causal relationships between Tylenol and autism 👇
🎧 podcast.publichealth.jhu.edu/953-interpre...
✏️ www.statnews.com/2025/10/23/c...
October 23, 2025 at 2:04 PM
In a new piece for @statnews.com, @lizstuart.bsky.social explores the challenges of studying cause and effect.
She recently joined us for a related conversation on causal relationships between Tylenol and autism 👇
🎧 podcast.publichealth.jhu.edu/953-interpre...
✏️ www.statnews.com/2025/10/23/c...
She recently joined us for a related conversation on causal relationships between Tylenol and autism 👇
🎧 podcast.publichealth.jhu.edu/953-interpre...
✏️ www.statnews.com/2025/10/23/c...
Reposted by Jenn Dowd
If your research touches on population dynamics, aging, education, labor force participation, or the links between demography, environment, and socioeconomic development, check out our research at the Multidimensional Demographic Modelling group for #YSSP2026
➡️https://iiasa.ac.at/programs/popjus/mdm
➡️https://iiasa.ac.at/programs/popjus/mdm
October 23, 2025 at 9:24 AM
If your research touches on population dynamics, aging, education, labor force participation, or the links between demography, environment, and socioeconomic development, check out our research at the Multidimensional Demographic Modelling group for #YSSP2026
➡️https://iiasa.ac.at/programs/popjus/mdm
➡️https://iiasa.ac.at/programs/popjus/mdm
Reposted by Jenn Dowd
Reminder! Our Economics of Longevity & Ageing webinar series kicks off next month, on 19 Nov!
With Amy Finkelstein Massachusetts Institute of Technology presenting 'Elderly Health & Longevity in the US'
Register: https://cepr.org/events/event-series/economics-longevity-ageing-webinar-series
#EconSky
With Amy Finkelstein Massachusetts Institute of Technology presenting 'Elderly Health & Longevity in the US'
Register: https://cepr.org/events/event-series/economics-longevity-ageing-webinar-series
#EconSky
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Reminder! Our Economics of Longevity & Ageing webinar series kicks off next month, on 19 Nov!
With Amy Finkelstein Massachusetts Institute of Technology presenting 'Elderly Health & Longevity in the US'
Register: https://cepr.org/events/event-series/economics-longevity-ageing-webinar-series
#EconSky
With Amy Finkelstein Massachusetts Institute of Technology presenting 'Elderly Health & Longevity in the US'
Register: https://cepr.org/events/event-series/economics-longevity-ageing-webinar-series
#EconSky
Last year's flu season was rough (it laid me low over Christmas!). The US lost 280 children to flu last year, most of them unvaccinated.
➡️ NOW is a good time to get your flu jab
open.substack.com/pub/jenndowd...
#publichealth #flu
➡️ NOW is a good time to get your flu jab
open.substack.com/pub/jenndowd...
#publichealth #flu
Last year’s flu season was especially deadly, including for kids
Go get your flu shot!
open.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Last year's flu season was rough (it laid me low over Christmas!). The US lost 280 children to flu last year, most of them unvaccinated.
➡️ NOW is a good time to get your flu jab
open.substack.com/pub/jenndowd...
#publichealth #flu
➡️ NOW is a good time to get your flu jab
open.substack.com/pub/jenndowd...
#publichealth #flu
Reposted by Jenn Dowd
💉🛟 Don't miss this incredible synthesis of evidence on respiratory virus vaccines! #IDSky
The Vaccine Integrity Project’s new Executive Summary on COVID, RSV, & flu vax pulls together findings from 509 published studies to show where we stand for the 2025–26 season.
Highlights & interactive data tool: www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-inte...
Full manuscript: bit.ly/42MMMNu
Highlights & interactive data tool: www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-inte...
Full manuscript: bit.ly/42MMMNu
Vaccine Integrity Project - Data visualization tool
www.cidrap.umn.edu
October 22, 2025 at 2:22 PM
💉🛟 Don't miss this incredible synthesis of evidence on respiratory virus vaccines! #IDSky
Happy World Menopause Day! Economists are (finally) studying #menopause, finding that women's earnings can take a hit..but hot flashes need not always turn into a loss of cold hard cash.
Read more:
open.substack.com/pub/jenndowd... #econsky #womenshealth
Read more:
open.substack.com/pub/jenndowd... #econsky #womenshealth
Hot and Bothered at Work: The "Menopause Penalty”
New research shows an earnings dip during menopause
open.substack.com
October 18, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Happy World Menopause Day! Economists are (finally) studying #menopause, finding that women's earnings can take a hit..but hot flashes need not always turn into a loss of cold hard cash.
Read more:
open.substack.com/pub/jenndowd... #econsky #womenshealth
Read more:
open.substack.com/pub/jenndowd... #econsky #womenshealth
Reposted by Jenn Dowd
When I say the study of human populations needs epistemic diversity this short piece show why - thinkers from beyond the silos of demography and public health and economics are doing the WORK and we're becoming fast irrelevant. The meanings of demographic measures are why they matter.
“The question of who gets to live as long as they should isn’t moral but systemic.
We often say that death is the great unifier as it’s the one thing that we all have in common. But sometimes, I look around and wonder if even the after-life is segregated.”
We often say that death is the great unifier as it’s the one thing that we all have in common. But sometimes, I look around and wonder if even the after-life is segregated.”
Diane Keaton, Miss Major, D'Angelo...
Who gets to live a "long" life in America?
open.substack.com
October 16, 2025 at 10:25 PM
When I say the study of human populations needs epistemic diversity this short piece show why - thinkers from beyond the silos of demography and public health and economics are doing the WORK and we're becoming fast irrelevant. The meanings of demographic measures are why they matter.