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pauljbelcher.bsky.social
Paul Belcher FRCP MFPH Hon 🇪🇺🇬🇧
@pauljbelcher.bsky.social
5.3K followers 730 following 790 posts
European Public Health 🔹Fellow, Royal College of Physicians🔹EU Advisor, EurohealthNet🔹Member, UK Faculty of Public Health - European Public Health Association🔹Advisory Committee, European Health Forum

LinkedIn https://uk.linkedin.com/in/pauljbelcher
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pauljbelcher.bsky.social
Paul Belcher FRCP MFPH Hon 🇪🇺🇬🇧 @pauljbelcher.bsky.social · 7h
🦋 Updated | European #PublicHealth on Bluesky:

🦋 European Heart Network @ehnheart.bsky.social
🦋 The Lancet Regional Europe @lancetrh-europe.bsky.social
🦋 European Medical Journal @emjreviews.bsky.social
🦋 EuroHealthNet @eurohealthnet.bsky.social

go.bsky.app/K2JB6CN
Reposted by Paul Belcher FRCP MFPH Hon 🇪🇺🇬🇧
pauljbelcher.bsky.social
🦋 Updated | European #PublicHealth on Bluesky:

🦋 European Heart Network @ehnheart.bsky.social
🦋 The Lancet Regional Europe @lancetrh-europe.bsky.social
🦋 European Medical Journal @emjreviews.bsky.social
🦋 EuroHealthNet @eurohealthnet.bsky.social

go.bsky.app/K2JB6CN
February 18, 2026 at 1:58 PM
pauljbelcher.bsky.social
🦋 Updated | European #PublicHealth on Bluesky:

🦋 European Heart Network @ehnheart.bsky.social
🦋 The Lancet Regional Europe @lancetrh-europe.bsky.social
🦋 European Medical Journal @emjreviews.bsky.social
🦋 EuroHealthNet @eurohealthnet.bsky.social

go.bsky.app/K2JB6CN
February 18, 2026 at 1:58 PM
pauljbelcher.bsky.social
#Vaccination: " #PublicHealth isn't a culture war. It's about keeping our communities safe" says British PM after #Measles outbreak in London

UK "expects its leaders to stand firmly behind #Science to protect our children, not to give oxygen to conspiracy theories"

news.sky.com/story/prime-...
Starmer warns 'public health isn't a culture war' after measles outbreak
A measles outbreak is spreading through schools in north London after the UK lost its elimination status in 2024 due to a lower vaccine uptake.
news.sky.com
February 18, 2026 at 7:29 AM
Reposted by Paul Belcher FRCP MFPH Hon 🇪🇺🇬🇧
southdownsnp.bsky.social
Winning the “Life at Night” category in our 2025/26 Astrophotography Competition was Richard Murray’s shot, “Snail Trail to the Stars”, capturing a snail beneath The Plough asterism.

Congratulations, Richard - you really snailed it! 🐌
February 18, 2026 at 6:00 AM
pauljbelcher.bsky.social
🇪🇺 Behind the #chemical industry #lobbying blitz to undermine #EU safety

‘it is increasingly clear that the planned — and much-needed — robust revision of EU chemicals rules is being derailed by corporate interests’

@vickycann.bsky.social @corporateeurope.org

euobserver.com/202912/behin...
Behind the chemical industry lobby blitz to undermine EU safety
The European Environment Agency warns “according to some estimates, about eight percent of deaths can be attributed to hazardous chemicals. These numbers could be [an] underestimate." That’s why the E...
euobserver.com
February 17, 2026 at 10:01 AM
pauljbelcher.bsky.social
‘Fast-spreading' #measles outbreak hits several schools in London

“One in five children who contracted the illness had been admitted to hospital, all of whom had not been fully immunised.”

#VaccinesWork #Vaccination

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
North London measles outbreak hits several schools with tens of children infected
A number of children have been hospitalised as officials urge families to check they are up to date with their vaccines.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Reposted by Paul Belcher FRCP MFPH Hon 🇪🇺🇬🇧
pauljbelcher.bsky.social
🇪🇺 EU #HealthResearch Funding: 26 #HorizonEurope 'Health' calls for proposals

The European Commission has published the 2026 Horizon Europe ‘Health’ calls for proposals with a deadline 16 April 2026

hadea.ec.europa.eu/news/2026-ho...
2026 Horizon Europe 'Health' calls for proposals
The European Commission has published the 2026 Horizon Europe ‘Health’ calls for proposals. Interested applicants are invited to check the EU Funding and Tenders Portal for more information and to app...
hadea.ec.europa.eu
February 13, 2026 at 7:21 AM
pauljbelcher.bsky.social
🇪🇺 EU #HealthResearch Funding: 26 #HorizonEurope 'Health' calls for proposals

The European Commission has published the 2026 Horizon Europe ‘Health’ calls for proposals with a deadline 16 April 2026

hadea.ec.europa.eu/news/2026-ho...
2026 Horizon Europe 'Health' calls for proposals
The European Commission has published the 2026 Horizon Europe ‘Health’ calls for proposals. Interested applicants are invited to check the EU Funding and Tenders Portal for more information and to app...
hadea.ec.europa.eu
February 13, 2026 at 7:21 AM
Reposted by Paul Belcher FRCP MFPH Hon 🇪🇺🇬🇧
pauljbelcher.bsky.social
🇪🇺 EU countries scale back #tobacco #tax proposal: A win for industry #lobbying?

“When taxes are weaker, consumption stays higher, addiction lasts longer, and more people develop serious disease”

@lungcancereurope.bsky.social

www.theexamination.org/articles/eu-... @theexamination.org
EU countries scale back tobacco tax proposal
The latest draft recommends smaller tax hikes for cigarettes, heated tobacco and e-cigarette liquids.
www.theexamination.org
February 11, 2026 at 7:12 AM
pauljbelcher.bsky.social
#AnalysisParalysis in #PublicHealth and policy: when evidence becomes an alibi

We often say we need more evidence before acting in public health. But what if the real problem is not missing evidence but avoiding decisions?

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Paralysis in public health and policy: when evidence becomes an alibi
Public health operates in an era of unprecedented data availability and analytical sophistication, yet action on well-established health challenges is…
www.sciencedirect.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:30 AM
pauljbelcher.bsky.social
🇪🇺 EU countries scale back #tobacco #tax proposal: A win for industry #lobbying?

“When taxes are weaker, consumption stays higher, addiction lasts longer, and more people develop serious disease”

@lungcancereurope.bsky.social

www.theexamination.org/articles/eu-... @theexamination.org
EU countries scale back tobacco tax proposal
The latest draft recommends smaller tax hikes for cigarettes, heated tobacco and e-cigarette liquids.
www.theexamination.org
February 11, 2026 at 7:12 AM
Reposted by Paul Belcher FRCP MFPH Hon 🇪🇺🇬🇧
dougparr.bsky.social
"When we destroy a forest, we are creating GDP. When we overfish, we are creating GDP"

Head of the UN says the way we measure economic activity needs to change

He's not wrong. The vested interests in keeping things the same are considerable, however

www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Global economy must move past GDP to avoid planetary disaster, warns UN chief
Exclusive: António Guterres says world’s accounting systems should place true value on the environment
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:29 AM
pauljbelcher.bsky.social
Dutch bid to raise #nicotine age to 21 taps into Europe-wide shift

The change would also apply to vapes which are currently sold from age 18 – the standard minimum sales age across Europe.

Latvia raised the nicotine age last year with Ireland & Finland following

www.euractiv.com/news/dutch-b...
Dutch bid to raise nicotine age to 21 taps into Europe-wide shift | Euractiv
Latvia raised the nicotine age last year, with Ireland and Finland following
www.euractiv.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:42 AM
Reposted by Paul Belcher FRCP MFPH Hon 🇪🇺🇬🇧
pauljbelcher.bsky.social
🇺🇸🇺🇳 #NewYork city and several U.S. states to join World Health Organization global outbreak response network in defiance of #Trump's withdrawal from @who.int

The Governors of #California and #Illinois have also said their states will join this WHO network.

www.reuters.com/business/hea...
New York City joins UN health network after Trump withdrew US from WHO
The New York City Health Department on Wednesday said it has joined the World Health Organization's global outbreak response network following President Donald Trump's withdrawal of the U.S. from the ...
www.reuters.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:11 AM
pauljbelcher.bsky.social
🇺🇸🇺🇳 #NewYork city and several U.S. states to join World Health Organization global outbreak response network in defiance of #Trump's withdrawal from @who.int

The Governors of #California and #Illinois have also said their states will join this WHO network.

www.reuters.com/business/hea...
New York City joins UN health network after Trump withdrew US from WHO
The New York City Health Department on Wednesday said it has joined the World Health Organization's global outbreak response network following President Donald Trump's withdrawal of the U.S. from the ...
www.reuters.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:11 AM
Reposted by Paul Belcher FRCP MFPH Hon 🇪🇺🇬🇧
pauljbelcher.bsky.social
⚠️ “Ultra-processed foods should be treated more like #cigarettes than #food” – study

#UPFs are made to encourage #addiction and consumption and should be regulated like #tobacco, say researchers from Harvard, the University of Michigan and Duke University.

www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Ultra-processed foods should be treated more like cigarettes than food – study
UPFs are made to encourage addiction and consumption and should be regulated like tobacco, say researchers
www.theguardian.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:13 AM
pauljbelcher.bsky.social
⚠️ “Ultra-processed foods should be treated more like #cigarettes than #food” – study

#UPFs are made to encourage #addiction and consumption and should be regulated like #tobacco, say researchers from Harvard, the University of Michigan and Duke University.

www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Ultra-processed foods should be treated more like cigarettes than food – study
UPFs are made to encourage addiction and consumption and should be regulated like tobacco, say researchers
www.theguardian.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Reposted by Paul Belcher FRCP MFPH Hon 🇪🇺🇬🇧
pauljbelcher.bsky.social
🇺🇸 #Trump’s new #aid rules risk lives, #EU says

Trump administration seeks to restrict NGOs, governments and agencies in receipt of U.S. funding from promoting not only #abortion but also “ #gender ideology” and “discriminatory #equity ideology”

www.politico.eu/article/dona...
Trump’s new aid rules risk lives, EU says
Expansion of the Mexico City Policy “undermines joint efforts for human rights, global health, peace and stability,” the European Commission said.
www.politico.eu
February 1, 2026 at 8:26 AM
pauljbelcher.bsky.social
Jeffrey #Epstein: "I have met some very bad people. None as bad as #Trump. Not one decent cell in his body."

#EpsteinFiles
February 3, 2026 at 8:50 AM
Reposted by Paul Belcher FRCP MFPH Hon 🇪🇺🇬🇧
auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social
Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.

This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.

Auschwitz took time.
A bird's-eye view of a former Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp showing a wide dirt pathway flanked by parallel rows of barbed-wire fences. Groups of visitors walk along the path, surrounded by the remnants of brick structures and barracks, now reduced to foundations. Green grass contrasts with the somber history of the site, as the path leads toward a guard tower in the distance.
January 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Reposted by Paul Belcher FRCP MFPH Hon 🇪🇺🇬🇧
dignityindying.org.uk
The Observer View: Lords are defying democracy over assisted dying
The Observer View: Lords are defying democracy over assis...
The sabotage of the end of life bill by a small group of unelected individuals is unconstitutional
observer.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 6:23 PM
pauljbelcher.bsky.social
🇺🇸 #Trump’s new #aid rules risk lives, #EU says

Trump administration seeks to restrict NGOs, governments and agencies in receipt of U.S. funding from promoting not only #abortion but also “ #gender ideology” and “discriminatory #equity ideology”

www.politico.eu/article/dona...
Trump’s new aid rules risk lives, EU says
Expansion of the Mexico City Policy “undermines joint efforts for human rights, global health, peace and stability,” the European Commission said.
www.politico.eu
February 1, 2026 at 8:26 AM
pauljbelcher.bsky.social
🇺🇳 Opinion: ‘Europe has greater responsibility in the World Health Organization without the United States’ - Writes Professor Ilona Kickbusch in @bmj.com

‘Europe must become a proactive system stabiliser as the principal guarantor of @who.int ’s operational continuity’

www.bmj.com/content/392/...
Europe has greater responsibility in the WHO without the United States
The US’s withdrawal from WHO makes Europe the system stabiliser in global health multilateralism, writes Ilona Kickbusch At the upcoming executive board meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO...
www.bmj.com
February 1, 2026 at 7:45 AM
pauljbelcher.bsky.social
✒️ Signed: Please join me and support #DignityInDying

Let's remind @houseoflords.parliament.uk that over 70% of people in the UK and the House of Commons support law change as proposed in the #AssistedDying Bill.
dignityindying.org.uk Dignity in Dying @dignityindying.org.uk · 19d
The assisted dying Bill is receiving its 8th day of scrutiny in the House of Lords today.

After 7 days, Peers are continuing to consider Clause 1 of a 59 clause Bill.

This is running down the clock.
We must stop it. Join the fightback 👉 www.dignityindying.org.uk/petition
“No Dying Person Should Be Made To Suffer.” Add Your Name >>
Join the public record of support for legalising assisted dying.
action.dignityindying.org.uk
January 30, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Reposted by Paul Belcher FRCP MFPH Hon 🇪🇺🇬🇧
alanlester.bsky.social
Ladies and Gentlemen I give you the President of the United States of America, the most powerful statesman in the world.
January 30, 2026 at 3:23 PM