Katherine Horton
@kchorton.bsky.social
Infectious disease epidemiologist | Assistant Professor in #TB modelling @lshtm.bsky.social | Mama to 👦👦👦🐶
Interested in #TB, equity, and modelling? @reinhouben.bsky.social and I are advertising an MRC LID studentship on heterogeneity in the coverage of community screening for TB @lshtm-tbmod.bsky.social @lshtm.bsky.social.
For more details, visit mrc-lid.lshtm.ac.uk/2026-27-proj...
For more details, visit mrc-lid.lshtm.ac.uk/2026-27-proj...
November 11, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Interested in #TB, equity, and modelling? @reinhouben.bsky.social and I are advertising an MRC LID studentship on heterogeneity in the coverage of community screening for TB @lshtm-tbmod.bsky.social @lshtm.bsky.social.
For more details, visit mrc-lid.lshtm.ac.uk/2026-27-proj...
For more details, visit mrc-lid.lshtm.ac.uk/2026-27-proj...
Many thanks to @theunion.org and @the-independent.com for highlighting our work estimating the impact of reductions in global health funding on #TB morbidity and mortality
@lshtm-tbmod.bsky.social
@tb-lshtm.bsky.social
@lshtm-tbmod.bsky.social
@tb-lshtm.bsky.social
Ahead of The Union World Conference on Lung Health, Katherine Horton provides @the-independent.com with insights into the devastating impact of the funding cuts on global health, particularly tuberculosis.
Be sure to read about the threat of UK aid cuts: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Be sure to read about the threat of UK aid cuts: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
UK to put 250,000 lives at risk from HIV, TB and malaria with aid cuts
Exclusive: The UK is expected to pledge £850m to the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria – a cut of 15 per cent – despite previous assurances that funding would be protected
www.independent.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Many thanks to @theunion.org and @the-independent.com for highlighting our work estimating the impact of reductions in global health funding on #TB morbidity and mortality
@lshtm-tbmod.bsky.social
@tb-lshtm.bsky.social
@lshtm-tbmod.bsky.social
@tb-lshtm.bsky.social
Reposted by Katherine Horton
How will population shifts affect the future burden of #AMR? 👶👩🦳 🧫
We use a new modelling framework to explore future projections of #AMR by age and by sex, as well as interventions for control, building on our earlier findings that AMR isn’t uniform across demographics.
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
We use a new modelling framework to explore future projections of #AMR by age and by sex, as well as interventions for control, building on our earlier findings that AMR isn’t uniform across demographics.
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
Combining demographic shifts with age-based resistance prevalence to estimate future antimicrobial resistance burden in Europe and implications for targets: A modelling study
Author summary Why was this study done? Infections caused by bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics are a major and growing threat to public health. Older adults and men are at higher risk of...
doi.org
November 5, 2025 at 12:06 PM
How will population shifts affect the future burden of #AMR? 👶👩🦳 🧫
We use a new modelling framework to explore future projections of #AMR by age and by sex, as well as interventions for control, building on our earlier findings that AMR isn’t uniform across demographics.
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
We use a new modelling framework to explore future projections of #AMR by age and by sex, as well as interventions for control, building on our earlier findings that AMR isn’t uniform across demographics.
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
Reposted by Katherine Horton
When fluoroquinolone resistance status is unknown, empirical use of BPaLM (adding moxifloxacin to BPaL) is cost-effective as a replacement for BPaL even with high fluoroquinolone resistance levels! 🦠💊
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
Impact of fluoroquinolone resistance on the cost-effectiveness of empiric treatment for multidrug- or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis
The WHO recommends the bedaquiline, pretomanid, and linezolid (BPaL) regimen with the additional fluoroquinolone antibiotic moxifloxacin (BPaLM) for initial treatment of multidrug- or rifampicin-resis...
doi.org
October 20, 2025 at 6:47 PM
When fluoroquinolone resistance status is unknown, empirical use of BPaLM (adding moxifloxacin to BPaL) is cost-effective as a replacement for BPaL even with high fluoroquinolone resistance levels! 🦠💊
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
Reposted by Katherine Horton
Our framework that informed the @who.int TB & climate change policy brief out now in @lancetrespirmed.bsky.social, exploring the intersections and implications of climate change for the TB epidemic. Key message? TB should be considered a climate-sensitive disease
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Climate change and tuberculosis: an analytical framework
Climate change is likely to exacerbate a range of determinants that drive tuberculosis,
the world's leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. However, tuberculosis
is often neglected in w...
www.thelancet.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Our framework that informed the @who.int TB & climate change policy brief out now in @lancetrespirmed.bsky.social, exploring the intersections and implications of climate change for the TB epidemic. Key message? TB should be considered a climate-sensitive disease
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
It was a real pleasure to deliver this Introduction to TB Modelling workshop for representatives from Kenya’s National TB, Leprosy and Lung Disease Programme last week with great discussions about how modelling can be used in policy and programme decisions.
Today, with representatives from Kenyan's MoH's National TB prog & partners in Kenya AFIDEP & ReSoK, Dr Katherine Horton from
@LSHTM
led an eye-opening, interactive session on understanding TB modelling & how these models help shape better decisions & progs
@LSHTM
led an eye-opening, interactive session on understanding TB modelling & how these models help shape better decisions & progs
October 30, 2025 at 11:38 AM
It was a real pleasure to deliver this Introduction to TB Modelling workshop for representatives from Kenya’s National TB, Leprosy and Lung Disease Programme last week with great discussions about how modelling can be used in policy and programme decisions.
Understanding patterns of #TB exposure and transmission is needed for targeted prevention strategies. In our latest pre-print, @petedodd24.bsky.social and I estimated the proportion of TB exposure to and transmission from sex and age groups for 177 countries.
bit.ly/4nbV492
bit.ly/4nbV492
A global analysis of patterns of tuberculosis exposure and transmission
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern and the leading infectious cause of mortality globally. The disease exhibits strong prevalence patterns by age and sex, but the implications of these...
www.medrxiv.org
October 12, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Understanding patterns of #TB exposure and transmission is needed for targeted prevention strategies. In our latest pre-print, @petedodd24.bsky.social and I estimated the proportion of TB exposure to and transmission from sex and age groups for 177 countries.
bit.ly/4nbV492
bit.ly/4nbV492
Reposted by Katherine Horton
In a new preprint (NOT PEER REVIEWED) we continue to explore the challenge of overtreatment in community screening. It seems the benefits of TB treatment far outweigh the harms, especially once we accept that sputum culture is not perfect. Important food for thought. www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
Do no harm - re-evaluating the risks of overtreatment in community-wide tuberculosis screening
Background Community-wide screening is a crucial strategy to end tuberculosis (TB), but a common concern is potential harm from overtreatment following false positive diagnoses. However, current refer...
www.medrxiv.org
October 7, 2025 at 9:17 AM
In a new preprint (NOT PEER REVIEWED) we continue to explore the challenge of overtreatment in community screening. It seems the benefits of TB treatment far outweigh the harms, especially once we accept that sputum culture is not perfect. Important food for thought. www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Katherine Horton
PhD opportunity: New approaches to modelling TB transmission in low-incidence settings.
Supervised by Ellen Brooks-Pollock (Bristol), me (Bath) & Rajeka Lazarus (Bristol)
Apply: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Deadline 20 Oct
#PhD #Tuberculosis #Epidemiology #InfectiousDisease
Supervised by Ellen Brooks-Pollock (Bristol), me (Bath) & Rajeka Lazarus (Bristol)
Apply: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Deadline 20 Oct
#PhD #Tuberculosis #Epidemiology #InfectiousDisease
New approaches for modelling tuberculosis transmission in low incidence settings at University of Bristol on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - New approaches for modelling tuberculosis transmission in low incidence settings at University of Bristol, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
September 27, 2025 at 7:10 AM
PhD opportunity: New approaches to modelling TB transmission in low-incidence settings.
Supervised by Ellen Brooks-Pollock (Bristol), me (Bath) & Rajeka Lazarus (Bristol)
Apply: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Deadline 20 Oct
#PhD #Tuberculosis #Epidemiology #InfectiousDisease
Supervised by Ellen Brooks-Pollock (Bristol), me (Bath) & Rajeka Lazarus (Bristol)
Apply: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Deadline 20 Oct
#PhD #Tuberculosis #Epidemiology #InfectiousDisease
Our systematic review of rural/urban differences in #TB prevalence shows evidence of rapidly urbanising epidemics in many settings, with differences across countries and regions.
Link to preprint below ⬇️
Link to preprint below ⬇️
Are there more people with #TB in cities or rural areas?
In a 🚨new🚨 preprint (NOT PEER REVIEWED) we modelled urban-rural TB trends from 2000-2023 in 26 countries with 4.6 billion people.
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
In a 🚨new🚨 preprint (NOT PEER REVIEWED) we modelled urban-rural TB trends from 2000-2023 in 26 countries with 4.6 billion people.
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
September 22, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Our systematic review of rural/urban differences in #TB prevalence shows evidence of rapidly urbanising epidemics in many settings, with differences across countries and regions.
Link to preprint below ⬇️
Link to preprint below ⬇️
Reposted by Katherine Horton
Sad (but not surprised) to read the latest Global Health 50/50 report, amidst turmoil in global health, erosion of democracy, withdrawal from multi-lateralism, aid cuts, attacks on science, DEI, human rights
@kentbuse.bsky.social @jocalynclark.bsky.social
global5050.org/2025-report/
@kentbuse.bsky.social @jocalynclark.bsky.social
global5050.org/2025-report/
September 15, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Sad (but not surprised) to read the latest Global Health 50/50 report, amidst turmoil in global health, erosion of democracy, withdrawal from multi-lateralism, aid cuts, attacks on science, DEI, human rights
@kentbuse.bsky.social @jocalynclark.bsky.social
global5050.org/2025-report/
@kentbuse.bsky.social @jocalynclark.bsky.social
global5050.org/2025-report/
Reposted by Katherine Horton
Men are more than twice as likely as women to have prevalent #TB.
We did updated meta-analysis including over 4million people in 99 surveys.
Despite increasing focus on gender equitable TB responses, this gap has widened since we last assessed these data over a decade ago.
We did updated meta-analysis including over 4million people in 99 surveys.
Despite increasing focus on gender equitable TB responses, this gap has widened since we last assessed these data over a decade ago.
1/ It’s been 10 years (😮) since we reported that #TB prevalence was twice as high in men as in women.
📢 Our new preprint explores how sex differences have shifted with more recent national prevalence surveys and growing attention to #gender responsive TB prevention and care.
bit.ly/4gqP1LH
📢 Our new preprint explores how sex differences have shifted with more recent national prevalence surveys and growing attention to #gender responsive TB prevention and care.
bit.ly/4gqP1LH
Differences in Tuberculosis Prevalence by Sex Over 1993-2024: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) prevalence is higher among men than women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, summary measures of sex difference
bit.ly
September 16, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Men are more than twice as likely as women to have prevalent #TB.
We did updated meta-analysis including over 4million people in 99 surveys.
Despite increasing focus on gender equitable TB responses, this gap has widened since we last assessed these data over a decade ago.
We did updated meta-analysis including over 4million people in 99 surveys.
Despite increasing focus on gender equitable TB responses, this gap has widened since we last assessed these data over a decade ago.
1/ It’s been 10 years (😮) since we reported that #TB prevalence was twice as high in men as in women.
📢 Our new preprint explores how sex differences have shifted with more recent national prevalence surveys and growing attention to #gender responsive TB prevention and care.
bit.ly/4gqP1LH
📢 Our new preprint explores how sex differences have shifted with more recent national prevalence surveys and growing attention to #gender responsive TB prevention and care.
bit.ly/4gqP1LH
Differences in Tuberculosis Prevalence by Sex Over 1993-2024: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) prevalence is higher among men than women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, summary measures of sex difference
bit.ly
September 16, 2025 at 11:50 AM
1/ It’s been 10 years (😮) since we reported that #TB prevalence was twice as high in men as in women.
📢 Our new preprint explores how sex differences have shifted with more recent national prevalence surveys and growing attention to #gender responsive TB prevention and care.
bit.ly/4gqP1LH
📢 Our new preprint explores how sex differences have shifted with more recent national prevalence surveys and growing attention to #gender responsive TB prevention and care.
bit.ly/4gqP1LH
Fantastic work from @aschwalbc.bsky.social now out in @plosglobalpublichealth.org. Check out his thread below for more details!
Our work on modelling population-wide screening in Viet Nam is now available in PLOS Global Public Health! tinyurl.com/3ymhuj5s
September 15, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Fantastic work from @aschwalbc.bsky.social now out in @plosglobalpublichealth.org. Check out his thread below for more details!
Reposted by Katherine Horton
Nutritional status is a key determinant of TB. In this updated systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis (43 cohorts inc > 26 million people) we redefined the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and TB. doi.org/10.1093/ije/...
Body mass index and tuberculosis risk: an updated systematic literature review and dose–response meta-analysis
AbstractBackground. The relationship between nutritional status and tuberculosis is critically important but poorly understood. We extended a 2009 review c
doi.org
September 9, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Nutritional status is a key determinant of TB. In this updated systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis (43 cohorts inc > 26 million people) we redefined the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and TB. doi.org/10.1093/ije/...
At a time when global resources for #TB research, development, prevention, and care are limited, which interventions should be prioritised in high burden settings?
📢 Our new pre-print compares the impact, cost, and cost-effectiveness of 9 TB interventions in 3 countries. 1/n
bit.ly/3V3vXth
📢 Our new pre-print compares the impact, cost, and cost-effectiveness of 9 TB interventions in 3 countries. 1/n
bit.ly/3V3vXth
The potential impact, cost and cost-effectiveness of tuberculosis interventions - a modelling exercise
Background While a range of interventions exist for tuberculosis prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment, their potential population impact and cost-effectiveness are seldom directly compared,...
bit.ly
September 5, 2025 at 10:05 AM
At a time when global resources for #TB research, development, prevention, and care are limited, which interventions should be prioritised in high burden settings?
📢 Our new pre-print compares the impact, cost, and cost-effectiveness of 9 TB interventions in 3 countries. 1/n
bit.ly/3V3vXth
📢 Our new pre-print compares the impact, cost, and cost-effectiveness of 9 TB interventions in 3 countries. 1/n
bit.ly/3V3vXth
Reposted by Katherine Horton
📯 New research from @kchorton.bsky.social and colleagues from @lshtm-tbmod.bsky.social!
#TB incidence can rebound after community screening ends, meaning the gains made during a program can be erased in the years that follow. This highlights a major challenge in sustaining impact #EndTB #EpiSky
#TB incidence can rebound after community screening ends, meaning the gains made during a program can be erased in the years that follow. This highlights a major challenge in sustaining impact #EndTB #EpiSky
Community screening for #tuberculosis could extend the reach of #TB services, but evidence on its effectiveness is limited.
In our latest preprint, we examine the epidemiological impact of trade-offs in diagnostic algorithm, population coverage, and duration of screening. 1/n
bit.ly/3UK7pFD
In our latest preprint, we examine the epidemiological impact of trade-offs in diagnostic algorithm, population coverage, and duration of screening. 1/n
bit.ly/3UK7pFD
Exploring trade-offs in diagnostic algorithm, population coverage, and duration of community screening for tuberculosis
Background Current tuberculosis (TB) prevention and care strategies have failed to reduce disease burden at the pace required to meet global targets. Community screening may enable more rapid declines...
www.medrxiv.org
September 2, 2025 at 2:27 PM
📯 New research from @kchorton.bsky.social and colleagues from @lshtm-tbmod.bsky.social!
#TB incidence can rebound after community screening ends, meaning the gains made during a program can be erased in the years that follow. This highlights a major challenge in sustaining impact #EndTB #EpiSky
#TB incidence can rebound after community screening ends, meaning the gains made during a program can be erased in the years that follow. This highlights a major challenge in sustaining impact #EndTB #EpiSky
Community screening for #tuberculosis could extend the reach of #TB services, but evidence on its effectiveness is limited.
In our latest preprint, we examine the epidemiological impact of trade-offs in diagnostic algorithm, population coverage, and duration of screening. 1/n
bit.ly/3UK7pFD
In our latest preprint, we examine the epidemiological impact of trade-offs in diagnostic algorithm, population coverage, and duration of screening. 1/n
bit.ly/3UK7pFD
Exploring trade-offs in diagnostic algorithm, population coverage, and duration of community screening for tuberculosis
Background Current tuberculosis (TB) prevention and care strategies have failed to reduce disease burden at the pace required to meet global targets. Community screening may enable more rapid declines...
www.medrxiv.org
August 27, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Community screening for #tuberculosis could extend the reach of #TB services, but evidence on its effectiveness is limited.
In our latest preprint, we examine the epidemiological impact of trade-offs in diagnostic algorithm, population coverage, and duration of screening. 1/n
bit.ly/3UK7pFD
In our latest preprint, we examine the epidemiological impact of trade-offs in diagnostic algorithm, population coverage, and duration of screening. 1/n
bit.ly/3UK7pFD
Reposted by Katherine Horton
Absolutely BRILLIANT animations and sensible explanations to illustrate just why and how people twist data regarding vaccines and putative links with autism. Do read.
Opinion | The Playbook Used to ‘Prove’ Vaccines Cause Autism
Data can easily be manipulated to show causation that doesn’t exist.
www.nytimes.com
August 20, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Absolutely BRILLIANT animations and sensible explanations to illustrate just why and how people twist data regarding vaccines and putative links with autism. Do read.
New WHO policy brief on #TB among populations at high risk and people in vulnerable situations includes (for the first time!) "men in settings where health care access is not tailored to their needs".
www.who.int/publications...
www.who.int/publications...
Tuberculosis among populations at high risk and people in vulnerable situations: policy brief
Tuberculosis (TB) is a preventable and curable communicable disease that continues to affect millions of people worldwide. While anyone can contract TB, it disproportionately affects individuals in so...
www.who.int
July 25, 2025 at 10:52 AM
New WHO policy brief on #TB among populations at high risk and people in vulnerable situations includes (for the first time!) "men in settings where health care access is not tailored to their needs".
www.who.int/publications...
www.who.int/publications...
Reposted by Katherine Horton
Our new study examines social contact patterns in urban, peri-urban, and rural communities and their implications for #TB interventions like household contact tracing, infection prevention, and cluster RCTs. #MedSky #EpiSky #IDsky #TBSky
Read more in @plosglobalpublichealth.org
Read more in @plosglobalpublichealth.org
Within-country heterogeneity in patterns of social contact relevant for tuberculosis infection transmission, prevention, and care
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) transmission is driven by variable social, environmental, and biological factors, including the number and duration of indoor contacts. Social contact data can provide...
doi.org
July 15, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Reposted by Katherine Horton
Reposted by Katherine Horton
Reduced international donor funding through not only the termination of #USAID, but also announced reductions in donor pledges to #TheGlobalFund from other countries, could lead to substantial potential impacts on #TB morbidity and mortality.
Read how in our new study in @lancetgh.bsky.social 👇
Read how in our new study in @lancetgh.bsky.social 👇
Our work estimating the potential impacts of reductions in international donor funding for #TB is now out in @lancetgh.bsky.social:
bit.ly/3TDl28T
@raclark18.bsky.social @cfmcquaid.bsky.social @alexandra-richards.bsky.social @top-j.bsky.social @reinhouben.bsky.social @richardwhite321.bsky.social
bit.ly/3TDl28T
@raclark18.bsky.social @cfmcquaid.bsky.social @alexandra-richards.bsky.social @top-j.bsky.social @reinhouben.bsky.social @richardwhite321.bsky.social
July 15, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Reduced international donor funding through not only the termination of #USAID, but also announced reductions in donor pledges to #TheGlobalFund from other countries, could lead to substantial potential impacts on #TB morbidity and mortality.
Read how in our new study in @lancetgh.bsky.social 👇
Read how in our new study in @lancetgh.bsky.social 👇
Our work estimating the potential impacts of reductions in international donor funding for #TB is now out in @lancetgh.bsky.social:
bit.ly/3TDl28T
@raclark18.bsky.social @cfmcquaid.bsky.social @alexandra-richards.bsky.social @top-j.bsky.social @reinhouben.bsky.social @richardwhite321.bsky.social
bit.ly/3TDl28T
@raclark18.bsky.social @cfmcquaid.bsky.social @alexandra-richards.bsky.social @top-j.bsky.social @reinhouben.bsky.social @richardwhite321.bsky.social
July 14, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Our work estimating the potential impacts of reductions in international donor funding for #TB is now out in @lancetgh.bsky.social:
bit.ly/3TDl28T
@raclark18.bsky.social @cfmcquaid.bsky.social @alexandra-richards.bsky.social @top-j.bsky.social @reinhouben.bsky.social @richardwhite321.bsky.social
bit.ly/3TDl28T
@raclark18.bsky.social @cfmcquaid.bsky.social @alexandra-richards.bsky.social @top-j.bsky.social @reinhouben.bsky.social @richardwhite321.bsky.social
In our latest personal view in @lancetrespirmed.bsky.social, we argue for the inclusion asymptomatic #tuberculosis in vaccine trial endpoints to potentially reduce the size, length, and cost of trials.
doi.org/10.1016/S221...
@lshtm-tbmod.bsky.social @tb-lshtm.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1016/S221...
@lshtm-tbmod.bsky.social @tb-lshtm.bsky.social
July 4, 2025 at 11:25 AM
In our latest personal view in @lancetrespirmed.bsky.social, we argue for the inclusion asymptomatic #tuberculosis in vaccine trial endpoints to potentially reduce the size, length, and cost of trials.
doi.org/10.1016/S221...
@lshtm-tbmod.bsky.social @tb-lshtm.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1016/S221...
@lshtm-tbmod.bsky.social @tb-lshtm.bsky.social