Nina Schwalbe, MPH, PhD
@nschwalbe.bsky.social
Strategist • Researcher • Advocate • CEO at Spark Street Advisors • Senior Scholar at O'Neill Institute • Dyslexic (typos mine) • Writes about public health and health equity • www.ssc.nyc
Pinned
Adoption of pandemic treaty is historic: Compliance and accountability must now follow
bit.ly
📝 Impact of a #PandemicTreaty depends on more than promises.
📊 Governments must deliver real accountability and compliance.
📄 In @plosglobalpublichealth.org, we explain how to make this happen: bit.ly/4lK6wHS
@matthewkavanagh.bsky.social @elliothannon.bsky.social @tdeol.bsky.social
📊 Governments must deliver real accountability and compliance.
📄 In @plosglobalpublichealth.org, we explain how to make this happen: bit.ly/4lK6wHS
@matthewkavanagh.bsky.social @elliothannon.bsky.social @tdeol.bsky.social
Definitely not a good use of US taxpayer dollars.
December 20, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Definitely not a good use of US taxpayer dollars.
no words.
wtaf.
wtaf.
December 5, 2025 at 3:55 PM
no words.
wtaf.
wtaf.
Reposted by Nina Schwalbe, MPH, PhD
December 3, 2025 at 9:03 AM
📢The Fourth meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG4) to develop Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex for the #pandemictreaty kicked off today.
🕰️The meeting runs from 1 to 5 December.
🧵
🕰️The meeting runs from 1 to 5 December.
🧵
December 1, 2025 at 12:34 PM
📢The Fourth meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG4) to develop Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex for the #pandemictreaty kicked off today.
🕰️The meeting runs from 1 to 5 December.
🧵
🕰️The meeting runs from 1 to 5 December.
🧵
Reposted by Nina Schwalbe, MPH, PhD
Why do UN headlines only tell part of the story?
Overselling success prevents an honest assessment of challenges and contributes to distrust.
In a recent commentary with @dreidpath & @brianwahl, we urge humility in reporting on progress. That is how to build trust!
🔗 bit.ly/49g08FV
Overselling success prevents an honest assessment of challenges and contributes to distrust.
In a recent commentary with @dreidpath & @brianwahl, we urge humility in reporting on progress. That is how to build trust!
🔗 bit.ly/49g08FV
Humility is critical in science communication: lessons from the UN’s recent report on child mortality estimates - Global Health Research and Policy
The United Nations announced a historic milestone in global child mortality in March 2024, with deaths among children less than 5 years falling below 5 million in 2022. While this news is welcome, the...
bit.ly
November 29, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Why do UN headlines only tell part of the story?
Overselling success prevents an honest assessment of challenges and contributes to distrust.
In a recent commentary with @dreidpath & @brianwahl, we urge humility in reporting on progress. That is how to build trust!
🔗 bit.ly/49g08FV
Overselling success prevents an honest assessment of challenges and contributes to distrust.
In a recent commentary with @dreidpath & @brianwahl, we urge humility in reporting on progress. That is how to build trust!
🔗 bit.ly/49g08FV
ice raid on canal now.
November 29, 2025 at 6:18 PM
ice raid on canal now.
Why do UN headlines only tell part of the story?
Overselling success prevents an honest assessment of challenges and contributes to distrust.
In a recent commentary with @dreidpath & @brianwahl, we urge humility in reporting on progress. That is how to build trust!
🔗 bit.ly/49g08FV
Overselling success prevents an honest assessment of challenges and contributes to distrust.
In a recent commentary with @dreidpath & @brianwahl, we urge humility in reporting on progress. That is how to build trust!
🔗 bit.ly/49g08FV
Humility is critical in science communication: lessons from the UN’s recent report on child mortality estimates - Global Health Research and Policy
The United Nations announced a historic milestone in global child mortality in March 2024, with deaths among children less than 5 years falling below 5 million in 2022. While this news is welcome, the...
bit.ly
November 29, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Why do UN headlines only tell part of the story?
Overselling success prevents an honest assessment of challenges and contributes to distrust.
In a recent commentary with @dreidpath & @brianwahl, we urge humility in reporting on progress. That is how to build trust!
🔗 bit.ly/49g08FV
Overselling success prevents an honest assessment of challenges and contributes to distrust.
In a recent commentary with @dreidpath & @brianwahl, we urge humility in reporting on progress. That is how to build trust!
🔗 bit.ly/49g08FV
A pandemic treaty focused on equity can't negotiated in secret
Stakeholders brings expertise and accountability. Yet we left outside the room
Transparency isn't a threat. It will drive the treaty to the finish line. In this recent oped, we call a seat in the room
🔗 tinyurl.com/un6kfbd9
Stakeholders brings expertise and accountability. Yet we left outside the room
Transparency isn't a threat. It will drive the treaty to the finish line. In this recent oped, we call a seat in the room
🔗 tinyurl.com/un6kfbd9
November 28, 2025 at 9:47 PM
A pandemic treaty focused on equity can't negotiated in secret
Stakeholders brings expertise and accountability. Yet we left outside the room
Transparency isn't a threat. It will drive the treaty to the finish line. In this recent oped, we call a seat in the room
🔗 tinyurl.com/un6kfbd9
Stakeholders brings expertise and accountability. Yet we left outside the room
Transparency isn't a threat. It will drive the treaty to the finish line. In this recent oped, we call a seat in the room
🔗 tinyurl.com/un6kfbd9
Reposted by Nina Schwalbe, MPH, PhD
🗣️ “Measles is an entirely preventable disease.”
Our senior fellow @nschwalbe.bsky.social on @npr.org with to discuss falling vaccination rates and the misinformation crisis eroding trust.
Her message: We must rebuild vaccine confidence through transparency and engagement. 🎧 Listen 👇
Our senior fellow @nschwalbe.bsky.social on @npr.org with to discuss falling vaccination rates and the misinformation crisis eroding trust.
Her message: We must rebuild vaccine confidence through transparency and engagement. 🎧 Listen 👇
November 13, 2025 at 12:10 PM
🗣️ “Measles is an entirely preventable disease.”
Our senior fellow @nschwalbe.bsky.social on @npr.org with to discuss falling vaccination rates and the misinformation crisis eroding trust.
Her message: We must rebuild vaccine confidence through transparency and engagement. 🎧 Listen 👇
Our senior fellow @nschwalbe.bsky.social on @npr.org with to discuss falling vaccination rates and the misinformation crisis eroding trust.
Her message: We must rebuild vaccine confidence through transparency and engagement. 🎧 Listen 👇
Reposted by Nina Schwalbe, MPH, PhD
Its very hard to know what to say about this deeply distributing change to the CDC website. It speaks for itself.
America, we are in trouble.
CDC is now actively promoting bunk science.
Vaccines save lives. They don't cause autism.
America, we are in trouble.
CDC is now actively promoting bunk science.
Vaccines save lives. They don't cause autism.
November 21, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Its very hard to know what to say about this deeply distributing change to the CDC website. It speaks for itself.
America, we are in trouble.
CDC is now actively promoting bunk science.
Vaccines save lives. They don't cause autism.
America, we are in trouble.
CDC is now actively promoting bunk science.
Vaccines save lives. They don't cause autism.
Its very hard to know what to say about this deeply distributing change to the CDC website. It speaks for itself.
America, we are in trouble.
CDC is now actively promoting bunk science.
Vaccines save lives. They don't cause autism.
America, we are in trouble.
CDC is now actively promoting bunk science.
Vaccines save lives. They don't cause autism.
November 21, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Its very hard to know what to say about this deeply distributing change to the CDC website. It speaks for itself.
America, we are in trouble.
CDC is now actively promoting bunk science.
Vaccines save lives. They don't cause autism.
America, we are in trouble.
CDC is now actively promoting bunk science.
Vaccines save lives. They don't cause autism.
Canada lost measles elimination status following 12 months of local transmission
Measles is 💯 preventable with vaccination. And transmission can be stopped
As I discussed with @gabrielleemanuel.bsky.social at @npr.org, this news reflects growing lack of confidence in vaccines
🔗 shorturl.at/fvk1U
Measles is 💯 preventable with vaccination. And transmission can be stopped
As I discussed with @gabrielleemanuel.bsky.social at @npr.org, this news reflects growing lack of confidence in vaccines
🔗 shorturl.at/fvk1U
shorturl.at
November 18, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Canada lost measles elimination status following 12 months of local transmission
Measles is 💯 preventable with vaccination. And transmission can be stopped
As I discussed with @gabrielleemanuel.bsky.social at @npr.org, this news reflects growing lack of confidence in vaccines
🔗 shorturl.at/fvk1U
Measles is 💯 preventable with vaccination. And transmission can be stopped
As I discussed with @gabrielleemanuel.bsky.social at @npr.org, this news reflects growing lack of confidence in vaccines
🔗 shorturl.at/fvk1U
Reposted by Nina Schwalbe, MPH, PhD
📢The 3rd meeting of Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG3) to develop Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex for #pandemictreaty ended today.
🎯There was solid progress: the text evolved from Bureau draft to delegate-owned, with lot of new additions across sections
🧵
🎯There was solid progress: the text evolved from Bureau draft to delegate-owned, with lot of new additions across sections
🧵
November 7, 2025 at 5:19 PM
📢The 3rd meeting of Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG3) to develop Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex for #pandemictreaty ended today.
🎯There was solid progress: the text evolved from Bureau draft to delegate-owned, with lot of new additions across sections
🧵
🎯There was solid progress: the text evolved from Bureau draft to delegate-owned, with lot of new additions across sections
🧵
📢The 3rd meeting of Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG3) to develop Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex for #pandemictreaty ended today.
🎯There was solid progress: the text evolved from Bureau draft to delegate-owned, with lot of new additions across sections
🧵
🎯There was solid progress: the text evolved from Bureau draft to delegate-owned, with lot of new additions across sections
🧵
November 7, 2025 at 5:19 PM
📢The 3rd meeting of Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG3) to develop Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex for #pandemictreaty ended today.
🎯There was solid progress: the text evolved from Bureau draft to delegate-owned, with lot of new additions across sections
🧵
🎯There was solid progress: the text evolved from Bureau draft to delegate-owned, with lot of new additions across sections
🧵
📢Today, the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) for the #pandemictreaty started its 3rd meeting to develop a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex. The meeting takes place on 3-7 Nov in Geneva.
🧵
🧵
November 3, 2025 at 4:01 PM
📢Today, the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) for the #pandemictreaty started its 3rd meeting to develop a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex. The meeting takes place on 3-7 Nov in Geneva.
🧵
🧵
Reposted by Nina Schwalbe, MPH, PhD
📢 As the World Health Summit begins, one question is front and center: how should global health architecture adapt? With SDG deadlines looming and funding cuts deepening, reform is no longer optional. 🧵
bit.ly/GHarchitecture
bit.ly/GHarchitecture
October 9, 2025 at 7:02 PM
📢 As the World Health Summit begins, one question is front and center: how should global health architecture adapt? With SDG deadlines looming and funding cuts deepening, reform is no longer optional. 🧵
bit.ly/GHarchitecture
bit.ly/GHarchitecture
📢 As the World Health Summit begins, one question is front and center: how should global health architecture adapt? With SDG deadlines looming and funding cuts deepening, reform is no longer optional. 🧵
bit.ly/GHarchitecture
bit.ly/GHarchitecture
October 9, 2025 at 7:02 PM
📢 As the World Health Summit begins, one question is front and center: how should global health architecture adapt? With SDG deadlines looming and funding cuts deepening, reform is no longer optional. 🧵
bit.ly/GHarchitecture
bit.ly/GHarchitecture
📢Today, the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG2) for the #pandemictreaty kicked off a week of informal meetings in Geneva to develop a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex.
A brief recap of the day below!
🧵
A brief recap of the day below!
🧵
October 6, 2025 at 4:41 PM
📢Today, the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG2) for the #pandemictreaty kicked off a week of informal meetings in Geneva to develop a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex.
A brief recap of the day below!
🧵
A brief recap of the day below!
🧵
Reposted by Nina Schwalbe, MPH, PhD
🚨US funding cuts to vaccine programmes have imperiled vaccine coverage around the world.
💉In our new Georgetown Center for Global Health Law and Policy Working Paper, we unpack these decisions/
🎱The US dropped the ball, leaving a mess for others to fix.
🧵
💉In our new Georgetown Center for Global Health Law and Policy Working Paper, we unpack these decisions/
🎱The US dropped the ball, leaving a mess for others to fix.
🧵
October 4, 2025 at 2:55 PM
🚨US funding cuts to vaccine programmes have imperiled vaccine coverage around the world.
💉In our new Georgetown Center for Global Health Law and Policy Working Paper, we unpack these decisions/
🎱The US dropped the ball, leaving a mess for others to fix.
🧵
💉In our new Georgetown Center for Global Health Law and Policy Working Paper, we unpack these decisions/
🎱The US dropped the ball, leaving a mess for others to fix.
🧵
🚨US funding cuts to vaccine programmes have imperiled vaccine coverage around the world.
💉In our new Georgetown Center for Global Health Law and Policy Working Paper, we unpack these decisions/
🎱The US dropped the ball, leaving a mess for others to fix.
🧵
💉In our new Georgetown Center for Global Health Law and Policy Working Paper, we unpack these decisions/
🎱The US dropped the ball, leaving a mess for others to fix.
🧵
October 4, 2025 at 2:55 PM
🚨US funding cuts to vaccine programmes have imperiled vaccine coverage around the world.
💉In our new Georgetown Center for Global Health Law and Policy Working Paper, we unpack these decisions/
🎱The US dropped the ball, leaving a mess for others to fix.
🧵
💉In our new Georgetown Center for Global Health Law and Policy Working Paper, we unpack these decisions/
🎱The US dropped the ball, leaving a mess for others to fix.
🧵
Reposted by Nina Schwalbe, MPH, PhD
🦟 We may have a case of Chikungunya in New York.
Story still unfolding.
Notably our US CDC is absent on this one. It is being handled by the State.
Chikungunya virus infection can cause an illness with fever and joint pain. It is carried by a type of mosquito not previously found in the US.
Story still unfolding.
Notably our US CDC is absent on this one. It is being handled by the State.
Chikungunya virus infection can cause an illness with fever and joint pain. It is carried by a type of mosquito not previously found in the US.
Mosquito-Borne Illness Rarely Seen in U.S. Is Suspected on Long Island
www.nytimes.com
September 27, 2025 at 11:40 PM
🦟 We may have a case of Chikungunya in New York.
Story still unfolding.
Notably our US CDC is absent on this one. It is being handled by the State.
Chikungunya virus infection can cause an illness with fever and joint pain. It is carried by a type of mosquito not previously found in the US.
Story still unfolding.
Notably our US CDC is absent on this one. It is being handled by the State.
Chikungunya virus infection can cause an illness with fever and joint pain. It is carried by a type of mosquito not previously found in the US.
🦟 We may have a case of Chikungunya in New York.
Story still unfolding.
Notably our US CDC is absent on this one. It is being handled by the State.
Chikungunya virus infection can cause an illness with fever and joint pain. It is carried by a type of mosquito not previously found in the US.
Story still unfolding.
Notably our US CDC is absent on this one. It is being handled by the State.
Chikungunya virus infection can cause an illness with fever and joint pain. It is carried by a type of mosquito not previously found in the US.
Mosquito-Borne Illness Rarely Seen in U.S. Is Suspected on Long Island
www.nytimes.com
September 27, 2025 at 11:40 PM
🦟 We may have a case of Chikungunya in New York.
Story still unfolding.
Notably our US CDC is absent on this one. It is being handled by the State.
Chikungunya virus infection can cause an illness with fever and joint pain. It is carried by a type of mosquito not previously found in the US.
Story still unfolding.
Notably our US CDC is absent on this one. It is being handled by the State.
Chikungunya virus infection can cause an illness with fever and joint pain. It is carried by a type of mosquito not previously found in the US.
Civil society in the US is getting crushed.
Case in point below.
wtaf.
Case in point below.
wtaf.
September 25, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Civil society in the US is getting crushed.
Case in point below.
wtaf.
Case in point below.
wtaf.
America has a new Global Health Strategy that is anything but a Global Health Strategy.
Its main idea: America First.
Check out this report by @npr.org and my Substack on the same (which is considerably more scathing a review).
bit.ly/47PpZnv
Its main idea: America First.
Check out this report by @npr.org and my Substack on the same (which is considerably more scathing a review).
bit.ly/47PpZnv
September 21, 2025 at 3:27 PM
America has a new Global Health Strategy that is anything but a Global Health Strategy.
Its main idea: America First.
Check out this report by @npr.org and my Substack on the same (which is considerably more scathing a review).
bit.ly/47PpZnv
Its main idea: America First.
Check out this report by @npr.org and my Substack on the same (which is considerably more scathing a review).
bit.ly/47PpZnv
So much for good news. They reversed this decision yesterday. The Vaccines for Children program (Medicaid) will no longer cover the combined shot for children under 4.
This is a terrible and dangerous decision that will have a direct and negative impact on the health of our children.
This is a terrible and dangerous decision that will have a direct and negative impact on the health of our children.
Breaking (good) news:
The US vaccine committee just voted that the combination Measles Mumps Rubella and Varicella vaccine will continue to be covered by the public VFC for those under 4 years of age.
The US vaccine committee just voted that the combination Measles Mumps Rubella and Varicella vaccine will continue to be covered by the public VFC for those under 4 years of age.
September 20, 2025 at 10:33 AM
So much for good news. They reversed this decision yesterday. The Vaccines for Children program (Medicaid) will no longer cover the combined shot for children under 4.
This is a terrible and dangerous decision that will have a direct and negative impact on the health of our children.
This is a terrible and dangerous decision that will have a direct and negative impact on the health of our children.