Jason Nickerson
@jwnickerson.bsky.social
Respiratory Therapist 🫁
Trail runner and adventurer🏃♂️
Public health, emerging infectious diseases, health systems researcher focusing on older adults ☣️
Humanitarian aid worker and former Humanitarian Representative to Canada for MSF 🌍
Trail runner and adventurer🏃♂️
Public health, emerging infectious diseases, health systems researcher focusing on older adults ☣️
Humanitarian aid worker and former Humanitarian Representative to Canada for MSF 🌍
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
Canada lost its #measles elimination status today.
Here's something @jwnickerson.bsky.social and I wrote a while back in @theconversation.com for @msf.ca:
"Measles is a humanitarian issue, and its unwelcome reappearance in Canada is a reminder of its importance"
theconversation.com/measles-is-a...
Here's something @jwnickerson.bsky.social and I wrote a while back in @theconversation.com for @msf.ca:
"Measles is a humanitarian issue, and its unwelcome reappearance in Canada is a reminder of its importance"
theconversation.com/measles-is-a...
Measles is a humanitarian issue, and its unwelcome reappearance in Canada is a reminder of its importance
Any upsurge in measles is of real concern, but in settings aggravated by poor living conditions and malnutrition, it can be disastrous. It can affect adults, but young children are at particular risk.
theconversation.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Canada lost its #measles elimination status today.
Here's something @jwnickerson.bsky.social and I wrote a while back in @theconversation.com for @msf.ca:
"Measles is a humanitarian issue, and its unwelcome reappearance in Canada is a reminder of its importance"
theconversation.com/measles-is-a...
Here's something @jwnickerson.bsky.social and I wrote a while back in @theconversation.com for @msf.ca:
"Measles is a humanitarian issue, and its unwelcome reappearance in Canada is a reminder of its importance"
theconversation.com/measles-is-a...
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
Elvin Geng @elvingeng.bsky.social, EIC of Implementation Science Communications, is trying to understand what makes a peer review invitation from an academic journal better or worse. Please consider taking a few minutes to fill out his survey!
journalreviewerbws.sawtoothsoftware.com/cgi-bin/ciww...
journalreviewerbws.sawtoothsoftware.com/cgi-bin/ciww...
November 9, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Elvin Geng @elvingeng.bsky.social, EIC of Implementation Science Communications, is trying to understand what makes a peer review invitation from an academic journal better or worse. Please consider taking a few minutes to fill out his survey!
journalreviewerbws.sawtoothsoftware.com/cgi-bin/ciww...
journalreviewerbws.sawtoothsoftware.com/cgi-bin/ciww...
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
Incredibly grim stuff, #Edmonton.
👀"the highest yearly incidence rate documented in the international scientific literature. This suggests that Edmonton may lead the world in severe frostbite cases."
👀👀"Reported amputations due to frostbite reached an all-time high of 110 cases in 2024 in Edmonton"
👀"the highest yearly incidence rate documented in the international scientific literature. This suggests that Edmonton may lead the world in severe frostbite cases."
👀👀"Reported amputations due to frostbite reached an all-time high of 110 cases in 2024 in Edmonton"
Edmonton has had a disturbingly high number of frostbite amputations the last two winters. With freezing temps on the way, both the City and the Government of Alberta must do more to prevent people from freezing in the cold. edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu... #ableg #yegcc
Opinion: Edmonton doesn't have to be the frostbite capital of the world
Severe frostbite injuries are entirely preventable - together, let’s work towards a city where no one gets left out in the cold.
edmontonjournal.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Incredibly grim stuff, #Edmonton.
👀"the highest yearly incidence rate documented in the international scientific literature. This suggests that Edmonton may lead the world in severe frostbite cases."
👀👀"Reported amputations due to frostbite reached an all-time high of 110 cases in 2024 in Edmonton"
👀"the highest yearly incidence rate documented in the international scientific literature. This suggests that Edmonton may lead the world in severe frostbite cases."
👀👀"Reported amputations due to frostbite reached an all-time high of 110 cases in 2024 in Edmonton"
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
I helped make a film, out this week, called “Rovina’s Choice,” about the deaths this man without conscience or accountability has caused — already 600,000, ⅔ of them children.
November 6, 2025 at 10:34 PM
I helped make a film, out this week, called “Rovina’s Choice,” about the deaths this man without conscience or accountability has caused — already 600,000, ⅔ of them children.
Absolute nonsense. The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most profitable industries on the planet, every single new drug that comes to market is the result of some funding from taxpayers to discover or develop it, yet many Canadians can’t afford these same medicines.
In an absolutely shocking turn of events, #PhRMA (Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America) believes, in their submission to the #USMCA/#CUSMA trade agreement review, that Canada should be paying more for medicines.
🛃💊💰
www.phrma.org/resources/ph...
🛃💊💰
www.phrma.org/resources/ph...
November 7, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Absolute nonsense. The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most profitable industries on the planet, every single new drug that comes to market is the result of some funding from taxpayers to discover or develop it, yet many Canadians can’t afford these same medicines.
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
Not sure what to make of this story that implies that politicians want to do the right thing and get people out of a genocide in Sudan, but Canadian government bureaucracy is stopping this from moving ahead.
Once again, Canada seems unwilling and unable to do hard things that are important to do.
Once again, Canada seems unwilling and unable to do hard things that are important to do.
Former immigration minister rejected officials’ advice to shelve Sudan humanitarian program
Officials argued that bringing Sudanese out of civil war and into Canada could affect government’s immigration levels plan
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Not sure what to make of this story that implies that politicians want to do the right thing and get people out of a genocide in Sudan, but Canadian government bureaucracy is stopping this from moving ahead.
Once again, Canada seems unwilling and unable to do hard things that are important to do.
Once again, Canada seems unwilling and unable to do hard things that are important to do.
Not sure what to make of this story that implies that politicians want to do the right thing and get people out of a genocide in Sudan, but Canadian government bureaucracy is stopping this from moving ahead.
Once again, Canada seems unwilling and unable to do hard things that are important to do.
Once again, Canada seems unwilling and unable to do hard things that are important to do.
Former immigration minister rejected officials’ advice to shelve Sudan humanitarian program
Officials argued that bringing Sudanese out of civil war and into Canada could affect government’s immigration levels plan
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Not sure what to make of this story that implies that politicians want to do the right thing and get people out of a genocide in Sudan, but Canadian government bureaucracy is stopping this from moving ahead.
Once again, Canada seems unwilling and unable to do hard things that are important to do.
Once again, Canada seems unwilling and unable to do hard things that are important to do.
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
At the end of the day I'm not sure how much difference it makes. But it is striking to put out a budget that axes a luxury tax on yachts and adds a co-pay for refugee claimants accessing drugs and dental care.
November 4, 2025 at 10:57 PM
At the end of the day I'm not sure how much difference it makes. But it is striking to put out a budget that axes a luxury tax on yachts and adds a co-pay for refugee claimants accessing drugs and dental care.
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
Just look at the stats from the most recent #Tuberculosis in Canada report (released Oct 2025, but covering 2023).
It notes incidence of 5.5/100,000 & risk of not meeting Canada's 2030 commitment of >1/100,000.
Meanwhile among Inuit it's 204.2/100,000...
publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.9...
It notes incidence of 5.5/100,000 & risk of not meeting Canada's 2030 commitment of >1/100,000.
Meanwhile among Inuit it's 204.2/100,000...
publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.9...
November 2, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Just look at the stats from the most recent #Tuberculosis in Canada report (released Oct 2025, but covering 2023).
It notes incidence of 5.5/100,000 & risk of not meeting Canada's 2030 commitment of >1/100,000.
Meanwhile among Inuit it's 204.2/100,000...
publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.9...
It notes incidence of 5.5/100,000 & risk of not meeting Canada's 2030 commitment of >1/100,000.
Meanwhile among Inuit it's 204.2/100,000...
publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.9...
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
Horrific details emerging from El Fasher, Sudan: pools of blood so large they’re visible by satellite, people being killed systematically. Last week, MSF teams assessed 165 children under 5 fleeing the area and found 75% were acutely malnourished. An accelerating genocide before our eyes.
Signs of latest massacres in Darfur are visible in satellite imagery
Analysis concludes paramilitary soldiers are conducting mass killings in house-to-house operations
www.theglobeandmail.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Horrific details emerging from El Fasher, Sudan: pools of blood so large they’re visible by satellite, people being killed systematically. Last week, MSF teams assessed 165 children under 5 fleeing the area and found 75% were acutely malnourished. An accelerating genocide before our eyes.
Horrific details emerging from El Fasher, Sudan: pools of blood so large they’re visible by satellite, people being killed systematically. Last week, MSF teams assessed 165 children under 5 fleeing the area and found 75% were acutely malnourished. An accelerating genocide before our eyes.
Signs of latest massacres in Darfur are visible in satellite imagery
Analysis concludes paramilitary soldiers are conducting mass killings in house-to-house operations
www.theglobeandmail.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Horrific details emerging from El Fasher, Sudan: pools of blood so large they’re visible by satellite, people being killed systematically. Last week, MSF teams assessed 165 children under 5 fleeing the area and found 75% were acutely malnourished. An accelerating genocide before our eyes.
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
I've built a socioeconomic system that depends on everyone to do useful work and act ethically except the people at the top, who get unimaginable rewards for being antisocial frauds and criminals. And I think it will stand the test of time
October 28, 2025 at 7:16 PM
I've built a socioeconomic system that depends on everyone to do useful work and act ethically except the people at the top, who get unimaginable rewards for being antisocial frauds and criminals. And I think it will stand the test of time
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
WHO's new Global report on #NeglectedTropicalDiseases 2025 is out. #NTDs
www.who.int/publications...
Definitely have not yet waded through all 100+ pages, but plenty of interesting stuff here, e.g., ⬇️
www.who.int/publications...
Definitely have not yet waded through all 100+ pages, but plenty of interesting stuff here, e.g., ⬇️
October 22, 2025 at 6:07 PM
WHO's new Global report on #NeglectedTropicalDiseases 2025 is out. #NTDs
www.who.int/publications...
Definitely have not yet waded through all 100+ pages, but plenty of interesting stuff here, e.g., ⬇️
www.who.int/publications...
Definitely have not yet waded through all 100+ pages, but plenty of interesting stuff here, e.g., ⬇️
Strong agree with this - there’s a presumption that the discussions and impact of the VIP meetings is higher than the “not-VIP” meetings. Simply not true - the world is full of brilliant people making huge impacts that are far more tangible than in many of these meetings.
With a felt kazillion “I was in the VIP room!” posts (mainly photos with dozens of VIP handles) on my feed post #UNGA #WHS2025 #AnnualMeetings, upping this one on FOMO and what really happens in these haloed rooms: katribertram.wordpress.com/2023/10/18/g...
Global health – battling FOMO with transparency
After another global health “summit”, I reflect on what it means to be invited to “VIP” spaces.
katribertram.wordpress.com
October 19, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Strong agree with this - there’s a presumption that the discussions and impact of the VIP meetings is higher than the “not-VIP” meetings. Simply not true - the world is full of brilliant people making huge impacts that are far more tangible than in many of these meetings.
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
Some of these people have now been fired and rehired TWICE since January. The current state of dysfunction is mind boggling.
OOOPS! UPDATE: Two HHS officials tell me that disease detectives, measles response officers, global health officials and the MMWR staff were laid off by mistake and will be reinstated. But Washington office is still RIFed
BREAKING: Friday night massacre underway at CDC. Doznes of "disease detectives," high-level scientists, entire Washington staff and editors of the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) have all been RIFed and received the following notice:
October 12, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Some of these people have now been fired and rehired TWICE since January. The current state of dysfunction is mind boggling.
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
Some personal news: after more than a decade with @msf.ca, today is my last day as the Humanitarian Representative to Canada for Doctors Without Borders.
Serving in this role has been the privilege of a lifetime and I’m leaving feeling inspired by the work that MSF does.
Serving in this role has been the privilege of a lifetime and I’m leaving feeling inspired by the work that MSF does.
October 10, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Some personal news: after more than a decade with @msf.ca, today is my last day as the Humanitarian Representative to Canada for Doctors Without Borders.
Serving in this role has been the privilege of a lifetime and I’m leaving feeling inspired by the work that MSF does.
Serving in this role has been the privilege of a lifetime and I’m leaving feeling inspired by the work that MSF does.
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
Jason Nickerson has been an absolute champion and unwavering advocate for human rights, international law, and the protection of all people. I have learned so much from him and count him as one of my dear friends.
Thank you for your work, your voice, and your humanity @jwnickerson.bsky.social.
Thank you for your work, your voice, and your humanity @jwnickerson.bsky.social.
After 10 years of leading our advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy, @jwnickerson.bsky.social is stepping down.
Since joining us in 2015, he has been our voice on Parliament Hill and among Canada’s diplomatic community, a steadfast advocate for people caught in crises around the world.
Since joining us in 2015, he has been our voice on Parliament Hill and among Canada’s diplomatic community, a steadfast advocate for people caught in crises around the world.
October 10, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Jason Nickerson has been an absolute champion and unwavering advocate for human rights, international law, and the protection of all people. I have learned so much from him and count him as one of my dear friends.
Thank you for your work, your voice, and your humanity @jwnickerson.bsky.social.
Thank you for your work, your voice, and your humanity @jwnickerson.bsky.social.
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
After 10 years of leading our advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy, @jwnickerson.bsky.social is stepping down.
Since joining us in 2015, he has been our voice on Parliament Hill and among Canada’s diplomatic community, a steadfast advocate for people caught in crises around the world.
Since joining us in 2015, he has been our voice on Parliament Hill and among Canada’s diplomatic community, a steadfast advocate for people caught in crises around the world.
October 10, 2025 at 7:44 PM
After 10 years of leading our advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy, @jwnickerson.bsky.social is stepping down.
Since joining us in 2015, he has been our voice on Parliament Hill and among Canada’s diplomatic community, a steadfast advocate for people caught in crises around the world.
Since joining us in 2015, he has been our voice on Parliament Hill and among Canada’s diplomatic community, a steadfast advocate for people caught in crises around the world.
Some personal news: after more than a decade with @msf.ca, today is my last day as the Humanitarian Representative to Canada for Doctors Without Borders.
Serving in this role has been the privilege of a lifetime and I’m leaving feeling inspired by the work that MSF does.
Serving in this role has been the privilege of a lifetime and I’m leaving feeling inspired by the work that MSF does.
October 10, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Some personal news: after more than a decade with @msf.ca, today is my last day as the Humanitarian Representative to Canada for Doctors Without Borders.
Serving in this role has been the privilege of a lifetime and I’m leaving feeling inspired by the work that MSF does.
Serving in this role has been the privilege of a lifetime and I’m leaving feeling inspired by the work that MSF does.
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
‘What is already an innovation gap could become an innovation chasm.’
Large pharma companies withdrawing from R&D for infectious disease therapeutics has a growing impact on non-profit medical research orgs like DNDi, writes our R&D director in @statnews.com.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/09/p...
Large pharma companies withdrawing from R&D for infectious disease therapeutics has a growing impact on non-profit medical research orgs like DNDi, writes our R&D director in @statnews.com.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/09/p...
Pharma’s shift away from infectious disease research could spell disaster for the world’s poorest people
The number of “innovation champions” in the pharma industry working on infectious diseases is dropping — and that’s troubling, writes R&D director for Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative.
www.statnews.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:35 AM
‘What is already an innovation gap could become an innovation chasm.’
Large pharma companies withdrawing from R&D for infectious disease therapeutics has a growing impact on non-profit medical research orgs like DNDi, writes our R&D director in @statnews.com.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/09/p...
Large pharma companies withdrawing from R&D for infectious disease therapeutics has a growing impact on non-profit medical research orgs like DNDi, writes our R&D director in @statnews.com.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/09/p...
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
This is why we fund scientists to study things like oyster slobber even if you don’t think it sounds important
⚠️ Chinese researchers have invented bone glue that mimics how oysters stick to surfaces underwater.
The adhesive can reportedly repair orthopedic fractures in 2-3 minutes, even in blood-rich environments, and is bioabsorbable.
interestingengineering.com/science/chin...
The adhesive can reportedly repair orthopedic fractures in 2-3 minutes, even in blood-rich environments, and is bioabsorbable.
interestingengineering.com/science/chin...
China's oyster-inspired 'bone glue' bonds fractures in minutes
A new oyster-inspired Bone-02 adhesive can revolutionize bone repair without metal fasteners.
interestingengineering.com
September 30, 2025 at 10:35 PM
This is why we fund scientists to study things like oyster slobber even if you don’t think it sounds important
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
Canada Post “lost” 1 billion dollars last year?
How about, “it cost Canadians 1 billion dollars to have a national postal service” which works out to costing about $25 a year per person (population of Canada in 2024 = 40 million). Seems like a pretty reasonable cost to me.
How about, “it cost Canadians 1 billion dollars to have a national postal service” which works out to costing about $25 a year per person (population of Canada in 2024 = 40 million). Seems like a pretty reasonable cost to me.
"Canada Post is on track to lose money" Hum. Duh. It cost less than a toonie to send a letter across Canada.
"Canada Post is a service and not a business" was common knowledge until late stage capitalism brain rotted most people into think if it ain't making money for shareholders, it's failing.
"Canada Post is a service and not a business" was common knowledge until late stage capitalism brain rotted most people into think if it ain't making money for shareholders, it's failing.
September 25, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Canada Post “lost” 1 billion dollars last year?
How about, “it cost Canadians 1 billion dollars to have a national postal service” which works out to costing about $25 a year per person (population of Canada in 2024 = 40 million). Seems like a pretty reasonable cost to me.
How about, “it cost Canadians 1 billion dollars to have a national postal service” which works out to costing about $25 a year per person (population of Canada in 2024 = 40 million). Seems like a pretty reasonable cost to me.
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
It's unfortunate that the op-ed @jwnickerson.bsky.social and I wrote last year on putting that publicly-owned pharmaceutical manufacturing facility to good (or indeed any) use could basically just be reprinted verbatim today.
www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/arti...
www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/arti...
September 20, 2025 at 9:07 PM
It's unfortunate that the op-ed @jwnickerson.bsky.social and I wrote last year on putting that publicly-owned pharmaceutical manufacturing facility to good (or indeed any) use could basically just be reprinted verbatim today.
www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/arti...
www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
👀"Are insurance companies trying to ‘strong arm’ New Brunswick into rejecting pharmacare?" nbmediacoop.org/2025/09/17/a...
September 17, 2025 at 8:15 PM
👀"Are insurance companies trying to ‘strong arm’ New Brunswick into rejecting pharmacare?" nbmediacoop.org/2025/09/17/a...
Reposted by Jason Nickerson
I took some extended time off from MSF this summer - some time to trade crisis meetings for trail running, cold lakes, and a long scramble up to Ishpatina Ridge (Ontario’s highest point).
It wasn’t just time off, it was a summer of practicing nervous system regulation & recovery. Some thoughts:
It wasn’t just time off, it was a summer of practicing nervous system regulation & recovery. Some thoughts:
September 15, 2025 at 8:39 PM
I took some extended time off from MSF this summer - some time to trade crisis meetings for trail running, cold lakes, and a long scramble up to Ishpatina Ridge (Ontario’s highest point).
It wasn’t just time off, it was a summer of practicing nervous system regulation & recovery. Some thoughts:
It wasn’t just time off, it was a summer of practicing nervous system regulation & recovery. Some thoughts: