Katie Owens
@ktowens.bsky.social
EUComms person and cancer thriver
Interested in public communication and literacy, especially linked to health (physical and mental) and nutrition/food safety
Views my own
Interested in public communication and literacy, especially linked to health (physical and mental) and nutrition/food safety
Views my own
Pinned
Katie Owens
@ktowens.bsky.social
· Dec 15
As a reminder and in case you're not sure whether to engage, I primarily post:
a) The latest on EU health policy from the perspective of a communication expert based in Brussels
b) My patient perspective as someone living with a cancer and a rare disease diagnosis
a) The latest on EU health policy from the perspective of a communication expert based in Brussels
b) My patient perspective as someone living with a cancer and a rare disease diagnosis
“Public health officials face the challenge of communicating effectively on [digital and social media] platforms that reward and amplify everything that sound medical guidance is meant to avoid.”
Useful prep in Deborah Cohen’s book for discussions with @ema.europa.eu and @ecdc.europa.eu next week.
Useful prep in Deborah Cohen’s book for discussions with @ema.europa.eu and @ecdc.europa.eu next week.
February 1, 2026 at 9:12 AM
“Public health officials face the challenge of communicating effectively on [digital and social media] platforms that reward and amplify everything that sound medical guidance is meant to avoid.”
Useful prep in Deborah Cohen’s book for discussions with @ema.europa.eu and @ecdc.europa.eu next week.
Useful prep in Deborah Cohen’s book for discussions with @ema.europa.eu and @ecdc.europa.eu next week.
Measles is highly contagious and can lead to life-threatening complications.
Despite mixed messages you might hear, all the scientific evidence underpins their safety and efficacy.
Be like #Hamilton and don’t throw away your shot: you need two doses for the best protection.
#UnitedInProtection
Despite mixed messages you might hear, all the scientific evidence underpins their safety and efficacy.
Be like #Hamilton and don’t throw away your shot: you need two doses for the best protection.
#UnitedInProtection
Austria loses its WHO status as measles-free, too, together with Armenia, Azerbaijan Uzbekistan and Spain. This comes as no surprise, considering the rise in numbers in recent years and the decline in MMR vaccine coverage
#VaccineHesitancy #PublicHealthImpact #AllChildrenNeedProtection
#VaccineHesitancy #PublicHealthImpact #AllChildrenNeedProtection
UK loses WHO status as measles-free after rise in deaths and fall in jab uptake
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
January 29, 2026 at 6:28 AM
Measles is highly contagious and can lead to life-threatening complications.
Despite mixed messages you might hear, all the scientific evidence underpins their safety and efficacy.
Be like #Hamilton and don’t throw away your shot: you need two doses for the best protection.
#UnitedInProtection
Despite mixed messages you might hear, all the scientific evidence underpins their safety and efficacy.
Be like #Hamilton and don’t throw away your shot: you need two doses for the best protection.
#UnitedInProtection
Reposted by Katie Owens
📢Save the date: 2 February, 15.00 CET
🎗️ @sant.europarl.europa.eu will mark #WorldCancerDay through an exchange of views with experts on 🇪🇺 past & future actions the fight against cancer
📃Programme: www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/e...
🎥Watch live: multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstream...
🎗️ @sant.europarl.europa.eu will mark #WorldCancerDay through an exchange of views with experts on 🇪🇺 past & future actions the fight against cancer
📃Programme: www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/e...
🎥Watch live: multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstream...
January 28, 2026 at 2:38 PM
📢Save the date: 2 February, 15.00 CET
🎗️ @sant.europarl.europa.eu will mark #WorldCancerDay through an exchange of views with experts on 🇪🇺 past & future actions the fight against cancer
📃Programme: www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/e...
🎥Watch live: multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstream...
🎗️ @sant.europarl.europa.eu will mark #WorldCancerDay through an exchange of views with experts on 🇪🇺 past & future actions the fight against cancer
📃Programme: www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/e...
🎥Watch live: multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstream...
#WorldCancerDay is only a week away
That means there's still time to book your screening or vaccination and to share why it's so important.
Personally, I will be taking my daughter for her HPV vaccine this evening and spending the day with my doctors following a diagnosis in 2024.
#UnitedByUnique
That means there's still time to book your screening or vaccination and to share why it's so important.
Personally, I will be taking my daughter for her HPV vaccine this evening and spending the day with my doctors following a diagnosis in 2024.
#UnitedByUnique
January 28, 2026 at 9:32 AM
#WorldCancerDay is only a week away
That means there's still time to book your screening or vaccination and to share why it's so important.
Personally, I will be taking my daughter for her HPV vaccine this evening and spending the day with my doctors following a diagnosis in 2024.
#UnitedByUnique
That means there's still time to book your screening or vaccination and to share why it's so important.
Personally, I will be taking my daughter for her HPV vaccine this evening and spending the day with my doctors following a diagnosis in 2024.
#UnitedByUnique
Beautiful suicide prevention project - from Ben West - with the aim of reaching people at difficult moments through anonymous letters written by volunteers.
reasonstostay.co.uk
reasonstostay.co.uk
Reasons to Stay - Letters From Strangers
Reasons to Stay is a suicide prevention project reaching people at difficult moments through anonymous letters written by volunteers. Each letter on this site was written by a real person and delivere...
reasonstostay.co.uk
January 26, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Beautiful suicide prevention project - from Ben West - with the aim of reaching people at difficult moments through anonymous letters written by volunteers.
reasonstostay.co.uk
reasonstostay.co.uk
Scientists, governments & companies must communicate better if they want to rebuild trust in science.
Can't argue with this World Economic Forum statement as reported by @politico.eu Morning Health.
Over the next few months, I'll be focusing on ways to create "healthy information environments".
Can't argue with this World Economic Forum statement as reported by @politico.eu Morning Health.
Over the next few months, I'll be focusing on ways to create "healthy information environments".
January 26, 2026 at 7:11 AM
Scientists, governments & companies must communicate better if they want to rebuild trust in science.
Can't argue with this World Economic Forum statement as reported by @politico.eu Morning Health.
Over the next few months, I'll be focusing on ways to create "healthy information environments".
Can't argue with this World Economic Forum statement as reported by @politico.eu Morning Health.
Over the next few months, I'll be focusing on ways to create "healthy information environments".
Reposted by Katie Owens
Professor @orbenamy.bsky.social from @mrccbu.bsky.social will co-lead the world’s first major trial to test whether reducing social media use can improve teen mental health.
Find out more about the IRL Trial: https://bit.ly/4a2FZmB
#socialmedia #research
Find out more about the IRL Trial: https://bit.ly/4a2FZmB
#socialmedia #research
Thousands of UK schoolchildren to take part in major study of social media use and teen mental health
A trial that will put a daily limit on the social media use of thousands of Bradford teenagers is set to begin this year. It will be the largest study yet to investigate whether use of these online pl...
bit.ly
January 20, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Professor @orbenamy.bsky.social from @mrccbu.bsky.social will co-lead the world’s first major trial to test whether reducing social media use can improve teen mental health.
Find out more about the IRL Trial: https://bit.ly/4a2FZmB
#socialmedia #research
Find out more about the IRL Trial: https://bit.ly/4a2FZmB
#socialmedia #research
As a rare disease patient, research gives me hope for a healthier tomorrow 👇
💡 Your work can make an impact.
Share your research, advocacy, or innovation at #ECRD2026 — Europe’s leading rare disease policy event.
👉 Submit your poster abstract: https://go.eurordis.org/Submityourposter
#RareDiseases #PosterCall #Research
Share your research, advocacy, or innovation at #ECRD2026 — Europe’s leading rare disease policy event.
👉 Submit your poster abstract: https://go.eurordis.org/Submityourposter
#RareDiseases #PosterCall #Research
January 21, 2026 at 9:17 AM
As a rare disease patient, research gives me hope for a healthier tomorrow 👇
Resilience in health systems matters.
With so many global threats and challenges, it was reassuring to hear how countries are boosting health security and preparedness through closer collaboration.
With so many global threats and challenges, it was reassuring to hear how countries are boosting health security and preparedness through closer collaboration.
January 21, 2026 at 7:06 AM
Resilience in health systems matters.
With so many global threats and challenges, it was reassuring to hear how countries are boosting health security and preparedness through closer collaboration.
With so many global threats and challenges, it was reassuring to hear how countries are boosting health security and preparedness through closer collaboration.
68% of European citizens
do not feel prepared to face emergencies.
What can we do better to make sure we’re ready when the next crisis strikes?
Join the debate online: citizens.ec.europa.eu/online-debat...
do not feel prepared to face emergencies.
What can we do better to make sure we’re ready when the next crisis strikes?
Join the debate online: citizens.ec.europa.eu/online-debat...
January 20, 2026 at 6:59 AM
68% of European citizens
do not feel prepared to face emergencies.
What can we do better to make sure we’re ready when the next crisis strikes?
Join the debate online: citizens.ec.europa.eu/online-debat...
do not feel prepared to face emergencies.
What can we do better to make sure we’re ready when the next crisis strikes?
Join the debate online: citizens.ec.europa.eu/online-debat...
Reposted by Katie Owens
‘Vulnerable children use social media for connection, peer support and trusted advice. Many of us have feared that a ban may solve one set of mental health risks but unleash new ones.’
The father of Molly Russell impressively thoughtful about policy on social media
www.thetimes.com/article/fc74...
The father of Molly Russell impressively thoughtful about policy on social media
www.thetimes.com/article/fc74...
Why I oppose banning children from social media
Sir Keir Starmer must target addictive tech design and promote online wellbeing rather than a popular but ineffective solution, writes the father of Molly Russell
www.thetimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:35 AM
‘Vulnerable children use social media for connection, peer support and trusted advice. Many of us have feared that a ban may solve one set of mental health risks but unleash new ones.’
The father of Molly Russell impressively thoughtful about policy on social media
www.thetimes.com/article/fc74...
The father of Molly Russell impressively thoughtful about policy on social media
www.thetimes.com/article/fc74...
Nice reminder that public health interventions do help
January 20, 2026 at 6:36 AM
Nice reminder that public health interventions do help
A little reminder.
When it comes to scientific data, results only matter when others can review, test, and repeat the results.
This is important to remember in an increasingly complex information landscape.
#FactsMatter
When it comes to scientific data, results only matter when others can review, test, and repeat the results.
This is important to remember in an increasingly complex information landscape.
#FactsMatter
January 19, 2026 at 9:49 AM
A little reminder.
When it comes to scientific data, results only matter when others can review, test, and repeat the results.
This is important to remember in an increasingly complex information landscape.
#FactsMatter
When it comes to scientific data, results only matter when others can review, test, and repeat the results.
This is important to remember in an increasingly complex information landscape.
#FactsMatter
Reposted by Katie Owens
NEW 🔔 Trust is a verb: how to reimagine confidence in health systems
✍️ Tina D Purnat, Elisabeth Wilhelm, Gloria Lihemo, David Scales
OPEN ACCESS 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daaf235
✍️ Tina D Purnat, Elisabeth Wilhelm, Gloria Lihemo, David Scales
OPEN ACCESS 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daaf235
January 19, 2026 at 5:44 AM
NEW 🔔 Trust is a verb: how to reimagine confidence in health systems
✍️ Tina D Purnat, Elisabeth Wilhelm, Gloria Lihemo, David Scales
OPEN ACCESS 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daaf235
✍️ Tina D Purnat, Elisabeth Wilhelm, Gloria Lihemo, David Scales
OPEN ACCESS 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daaf235
Reposted by Katie Owens
📣 Contribute to EU scientific risk assessment and communication
We invite experts in animal & plant health & welfare, food & feed safety, GMOs, chemicals, pesticides, nutrition & social sciences to support our scientific and technical work.
✍️ Learn more & apply: link.europa.eu/NmNryp
#EFSACareers
We invite experts in animal & plant health & welfare, food & feed safety, GMOs, chemicals, pesticides, nutrition & social sciences to support our scientific and technical work.
✍️ Learn more & apply: link.europa.eu/NmNryp
#EFSACareers
January 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM
📣 Contribute to EU scientific risk assessment and communication
We invite experts in animal & plant health & welfare, food & feed safety, GMOs, chemicals, pesticides, nutrition & social sciences to support our scientific and technical work.
✍️ Learn more & apply: link.europa.eu/NmNryp
#EFSACareers
We invite experts in animal & plant health & welfare, food & feed safety, GMOs, chemicals, pesticides, nutrition & social sciences to support our scientific and technical work.
✍️ Learn more & apply: link.europa.eu/NmNryp
#EFSACareers
Reposted by Katie Owens
EMA’s message on GLP-1 medicines: Health, not hype. They are long-term treatments requiring medical supervision, not lifestyle shortcuts.
To counter misuse, we launched the #HealthNotHype campaign in 2025 with creators to promote safe, responsible use.
#EMAPresser
To counter misuse, we launched the #HealthNotHype campaign in 2025 with creators to promote safe, responsible use.
#EMAPresser
January 15, 2026 at 1:26 PM
EMA’s message on GLP-1 medicines: Health, not hype. They are long-term treatments requiring medical supervision, not lifestyle shortcuts.
To counter misuse, we launched the #HealthNotHype campaign in 2025 with creators to promote safe, responsible use.
#EMAPresser
To counter misuse, we launched the #HealthNotHype campaign in 2025 with creators to promote safe, responsible use.
#EMAPresser
Reposted by Katie Owens
By sharing expertise and best practices, these labs strengthen early outbreak detection and EU-wide health security.
Learn more about the EU Reference Labs and their impact on European public health" www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/microbiol...
Learn more about the EU Reference Labs and their impact on European public health" www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/microbiol...
EU Reference Laboratories for public health
The European Commission designates EU Reference Laboratories (EURLs) in public health to support national reference laboratories in improving diagnostics, testing methods, and surveillance of serious ...
www.ecdc.europa.eu
January 15, 2026 at 9:24 AM
By sharing expertise and best practices, these labs strengthen early outbreak detection and EU-wide health security.
Learn more about the EU Reference Labs and their impact on European public health" www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/microbiol...
Learn more about the EU Reference Labs and their impact on European public health" www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/microbiol...
Busy few days discussing one of the @ec.europa.eu’s top priorities: preparedness.
Fascinating insights into enhanced collaboration for health security
❇️across countries
❇️between civil and military operations
❇️with @ecdc.europa.eu, @ema.europa.eu & @efsa.europa.eu
#EUHealth
Fascinating insights into enhanced collaboration for health security
❇️across countries
❇️between civil and military operations
❇️with @ecdc.europa.eu, @ema.europa.eu & @efsa.europa.eu
#EUHealth
January 16, 2026 at 6:22 AM
Busy few days discussing one of the @ec.europa.eu’s top priorities: preparedness.
Fascinating insights into enhanced collaboration for health security
❇️across countries
❇️between civil and military operations
❇️with @ecdc.europa.eu, @ema.europa.eu & @efsa.europa.eu
#EUHealth
Fascinating insights into enhanced collaboration for health security
❇️across countries
❇️between civil and military operations
❇️with @ecdc.europa.eu, @ema.europa.eu & @efsa.europa.eu
#EUHealth
From a professional and patient perspective, I’m convinced that evidence based pharmaceutical and non-pharma treatments, including physiotherapy and psychotherapy, have a place in healthcare and wellbeing.
Super interesting presentation by the @npisociety.bsky.social yesterday.
Super interesting presentation by the @npisociety.bsky.social yesterday.
January 9, 2026 at 7:09 AM
From a professional and patient perspective, I’m convinced that evidence based pharmaceutical and non-pharma treatments, including physiotherapy and psychotherapy, have a place in healthcare and wellbeing.
Super interesting presentation by the @npisociety.bsky.social yesterday.
Super interesting presentation by the @npisociety.bsky.social yesterday.
How did the Stranger Things Conspiracy Gate theory gather so much momentum?
By tapping into strong emotions and pop culture online.
It's a lesson that can be applied to many topics, including health: critical thinking is a must when getting information online: www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/art...
By tapping into strong emotions and pop culture online.
It's a lesson that can be applied to many topics, including health: critical thinking is a must when getting information online: www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/art...
Is there going to be another ‘final’ episode of Stranger Things? - BBC Bitesize
Posts on social media have been teasing fans with a theory about a 'mystery' episode 9 of Netflix sci-fi drama Stranger Things
www.bbc.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 12:00 PM
How did the Stranger Things Conspiracy Gate theory gather so much momentum?
By tapping into strong emotions and pop culture online.
It's a lesson that can be applied to many topics, including health: critical thinking is a must when getting information online: www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/art...
By tapping into strong emotions and pop culture online.
It's a lesson that can be applied to many topics, including health: critical thinking is a must when getting information online: www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/art...
Practicing what I preach: a brisk walk through the snow is good for my mind and body.
January 7, 2026 at 9:11 AM
Practicing what I preach: a brisk walk through the snow is good for my mind and body.
Reposted by Katie Owens
How do we prepare for the next pandemic? New podcast episode features EMA’s Head of Public Health Threats, Marco Cavaleri, on COVID-19 lessons & future readiness. Watch here:
Inside EMA – Episode 2: Next pandemic: are we ready?
YouTube video by European Medicines Agency
youtu.be
December 15, 2025 at 10:43 AM
How do we prepare for the next pandemic? New podcast episode features EMA’s Head of Public Health Threats, Marco Cavaleri, on COVID-19 lessons & future readiness. Watch here:
Reposted by Katie Owens
Santa can keep the toys…
What we really want for Christmas: people before algorithms.
What we really want for Christmas: people before algorithms.
December 22, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Santa can keep the toys…
What we really want for Christmas: people before algorithms.
What we really want for Christmas: people before algorithms.
Reposted by Katie Owens
🤧 The 2025/26 flu season has begun earlier than the previous two seasons, driven by the recently-emerged influenza virus A(H3N2) subclade K.
An ECDC study estimated early seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness across the EU/EEA.
Learn more: www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-even...
#EpiSky #IDSky
An ECDC study estimated early seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness across the EU/EEA.
Learn more: www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-even...
#EpiSky #IDSky
Early estimates of seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness against influenza requiring medical attention at primary care level in Europe, week 41 - 49, 2025
The 2025/26 influenza season has begun earlier than the previous two seasons, driven by the recently-emerged influenza virus A(H3N2) subclade K.
www.ecdc.europa.eu
December 22, 2025 at 9:24 AM
🤧 The 2025/26 flu season has begun earlier than the previous two seasons, driven by the recently-emerged influenza virus A(H3N2) subclade K.
An ECDC study estimated early seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness across the EU/EEA.
Learn more: www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-even...
#EpiSky #IDSky
An ECDC study estimated early seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness across the EU/EEA.
Learn more: www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-even...
#EpiSky #IDSky
Every year, @politifact.bsky.social names a 'lie of the year'.
This year though, the sheer scale of misinformation and falsehoods has led to them naming 2025 as the 'year of lies'.
This year though, the sheer scale of misinformation and falsehoods has led to them naming 2025 as the 'year of lies'.
For 17 years, PolitiFact has made an annual tradition of sorting through the year’s rhetoric to identify the Lie of the Year. Here's the full list of "winners."
Lie of the Year lookback, from 2009 to 2025
For 17 years, PolitiFact has made an annual tradition of sorting through the year’s rhetoric to identify the Lie of the Year. Here's the full list of "winners."
buff.ly
December 19, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Every year, @politifact.bsky.social names a 'lie of the year'.
This year though, the sheer scale of misinformation and falsehoods has led to them naming 2025 as the 'year of lies'.
This year though, the sheer scale of misinformation and falsehoods has led to them naming 2025 as the 'year of lies'.