Patrick Fafard
@pfafard.bsky.social
Professor Emeritus/ Visiting Professor
Graduate School of Public & International Affairs and
Chair in Science Diplomacy, University of Ottawa.
Research Director, Global Strategy Lab, York/UOttawa
.
Graduate School of Public & International Affairs and
Chair in Science Diplomacy, University of Ottawa.
Research Director, Global Strategy Lab, York/UOttawa
.
Pinned
Patrick Fafard
@pfafard.bsky.social
· Mar 11
Thinking critically about science diplomacy
What does it mean to give scientists a 'seat at the table'?
open.substack.com
Does science diplomacy include giving scientists 'a seat at the table'? If so, to do what and with what implications?
How war drives the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
on.ft.com/493t0RL War is pushing us to a drug resistance tipping point by @gardp.bsky.social
War is pushing us to a drug resistance tipping point
Failure to prevent the rise and spread of infections in conflict zones imperils health security everywhere
on.ft.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:48 PM
How war drives the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
This could be framed as either “an overwhelming two-thirds of New York Jews voted against Mamdani” or as “a record 1 in 3 New York Jews supported an avowed anti-Zionist.” Both framings are technically true, but bear very different implications.
This is a stunning political realignment--Mamdani lost Jews, Catholics, and Protestants but won by sweeping "Other" and "None."
As a Jewish voter in the 33% I hope my neighbors (literally) in the 63%, who were flooded with dishonest mailers, social media, and texts, will now keep an open mind.
As a Jewish voter in the 33% I hope my neighbors (literally) in the 63%, who were flooded with dishonest mailers, social media, and texts, will now keep an open mind.
November 5, 2025 at 7:55 PM
This could be framed as either “an overwhelming two-thirds of New York Jews voted against Mamdani” or as “a record 1 in 3 New York Jews supported an avowed anti-Zionist.” Both framings are technically true, but bear very different implications.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Happy #OneHealthDay to those celebrating with their loved ones.
a boy is feeding a white chicken on the ground .
ALT: a boy is feeding a white chicken on the ground .
media.tenor.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Happy #OneHealthDay to those celebrating with their loved ones.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Some charts for those who don't know the extent of the US public (and private) investment in research (particularly in biomedical research) compared to other countries and institutions. The destruction of the US' scientific institutions has global implications.
November 2, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Some charts for those who don't know the extent of the US public (and private) investment in research (particularly in biomedical research) compared to other countries and institutions. The destruction of the US' scientific institutions has global implications.
Public health research that can inform political science analysis of PH problems: precautionary principle edition. This article does not assume that the precautionary principle is already part of established PH policy but rather makes the case as to why it should be.
Our new paper:
Science for Pandemic Preparedness: A precautionary framework
dx.doi.org/10.1111/jep....
Science for Pandemic Preparedness: A precautionary framework
dx.doi.org/10.1111/jep....
Science for Pandemic Preparedness: A Precautionary Framework
In the early weeks of the pandemic year 2020, health agencies were slow to warn of the potential for a global health emergency while scientists waited for ‘sufficient’ evidence of human-to-human tran...
dx.doi.org
November 2, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Public health research that can inform political science analysis of PH problems: precautionary principle edition. This article does not assume that the precautionary principle is already part of established PH policy but rather makes the case as to why it should be.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Overconfidence in "econometrics" at the expense of sound analysis of the politics of policy-making. A long-standing issue that should, by now, be well-known.
The key to understanding Carney‘s politics is, as an economist, he sees the world in terms of models. That’s what he meant when he promised to “govern in econometrics.” But that only works when a) your model somewhat reflects reality, and b) one remembers that models are simplifications of reality.
Will Carney’s budget finally reveal where the prime minister is taking Canada?
The Liberals won the election on Carney’s promise to “win” the trade war with Trump. So now what?
www.thestar.com
November 2, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Overconfidence in "econometrics" at the expense of sound analysis of the politics of policy-making. A long-standing issue that should, by now, be well-known.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
📣 New Call for Papers on the Relationship Between Public Health and Politics
📅 Deadline: February 1, 2026
🔗 Info: buff.ly/huyzHG8
#CallForPapers #PublicHealth
📅 Deadline: February 1, 2026
🔗 Info: buff.ly/huyzHG8
#CallForPapers #PublicHealth
October 30, 2025 at 7:15 PM
📣 New Call for Papers on the Relationship Between Public Health and Politics
📅 Deadline: February 1, 2026
🔗 Info: buff.ly/huyzHG8
#CallForPapers #PublicHealth
📅 Deadline: February 1, 2026
🔗 Info: buff.ly/huyzHG8
#CallForPapers #PublicHealth
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Terrible move on SO MANY levels.
> Iatrogenic injury
> Costs & strain on system
> Anxiety
< Equitable access
NO EVIDENCE OF BENEFIT!
AB gov plans to allow residents to privately pay for any diagnostic or screening service cbc.ca/news/canada/... by @albertadoctors.bsky.social
@cmadocs.bsky.social
> Iatrogenic injury
> Costs & strain on system
> Anxiety
< Equitable access
NO EVIDENCE OF BENEFIT!
AB gov plans to allow residents to privately pay for any diagnostic or screening service cbc.ca/news/canada/... by @albertadoctors.bsky.social
@cmadocs.bsky.social
Alberta government plans to allow residents to privately pay for any diagnostic or screening service | CBC News
Alberta is planning legislative changes that would let people pay out of pocket for diagnostic and preventive tests, such as MRIs, CT scans and full-body scans — without a doctor’s order.
cbc.ca
October 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Terrible move on SO MANY levels.
> Iatrogenic injury
> Costs & strain on system
> Anxiety
< Equitable access
NO EVIDENCE OF BENEFIT!
AB gov plans to allow residents to privately pay for any diagnostic or screening service cbc.ca/news/canada/... by @albertadoctors.bsky.social
@cmadocs.bsky.social
> Iatrogenic injury
> Costs & strain on system
> Anxiety
< Equitable access
NO EVIDENCE OF BENEFIT!
AB gov plans to allow residents to privately pay for any diagnostic or screening service cbc.ca/news/canada/... by @albertadoctors.bsky.social
@cmadocs.bsky.social
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Diphtheria, a Once Vanquished Killer of Children, Is Resurgent.
A Somali hospital ward packed with gasping children shows how war, climate and mistrust of vaccines is fueling the disease’s return, by @stephanienolen.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h... via @nytimes.com #GlobalHealth
A Somali hospital ward packed with gasping children shows how war, climate and mistrust of vaccines is fueling the disease’s return, by @stephanienolen.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h... via @nytimes.com #GlobalHealth
Diphtheria, a Once Vanquished Killer of Children, Is Resurgent
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Diphtheria, a Once Vanquished Killer of Children, Is Resurgent.
A Somali hospital ward packed with gasping children shows how war, climate and mistrust of vaccines is fueling the disease’s return, by @stephanienolen.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h... via @nytimes.com #GlobalHealth
A Somali hospital ward packed with gasping children shows how war, climate and mistrust of vaccines is fueling the disease’s return, by @stephanienolen.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/h... via @nytimes.com #GlobalHealth
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
An article opening "The last outbreak of #cholera in Britain was in 1866; in the United States there has not been an outbreak since 1911", shouldn't then ignore the thriving parallel market for cholera vaccines for travellers from rich countries. Market only failing those needing it most.
Our view:
Our view:
October 25, 2025 at 4:40 PM
An article opening "The last outbreak of #cholera in Britain was in 1866; in the United States there has not been an outbreak since 1911", shouldn't then ignore the thriving parallel market for cholera vaccines for travellers from rich countries. Market only failing those needing it most.
Our view:
Our view:
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
strong contender for Greatest Headline, Edmonton division www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
October 22, 2025 at 7:26 PM
strong contender for Greatest Headline, Edmonton division www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
A really important piece. The problem, as always here, is generating the politics that supports a move to the right policy. www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/h... via @statnews.com
The U.S. experiment with profit-driven health care has failed
“The market competition, managed care, and ‘corporate efficiency’ that economists prescribed as the cure for health care inflation instead accelerated it.”
www.statnews.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:35 AM
A really important piece. The problem, as always here, is generating the politics that supports a move to the right policy. www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/h... via @statnews.com
Political science/international law for public health #AMR from my brilliant GSL colleague Isaac Weldon
Policy Options for Antimicrobial Resistance: Exploring Lessons From Environmental Governance
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Policy Options for Antimicrobial Resistance: Exploring Lessons From Environmental Governance
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Policy Options for Antimicrobial Resistance: Exploring Lessons From Environmental Governance
Policy Points Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global health crisis driven by complex collective action challenges, requiring locally tailored and context-sensitive solutions. Drawing...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 20, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Political science/international law for public health #AMR from my brilliant GSL colleague Isaac Weldon
Policy Options for Antimicrobial Resistance: Exploring Lessons From Environmental Governance
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Policy Options for Antimicrobial Resistance: Exploring Lessons From Environmental Governance
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Public health for political science:
on the independence & autonomy of UK government agencies.
Can they resist “political interference” as a result of ministerial decisions on reporting, communicating with the public, budgets, etc.
on the independence & autonomy of UK government agencies.
Can they resist “political interference” as a result of ministerial decisions on reporting, communicating with the public, budgets, etc.
really pleased to be able to write about our latest report on strengthening the resilience of our public bodies for LSE!
Written with @martinmckee.bsky.social .
Report here
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
blog here
blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsoci...
Written with @martinmckee.bsky.social .
Report here
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
blog here
blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsoci...
October 20, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Public health for political science:
on the independence & autonomy of UK government agencies.
Can they resist “political interference” as a result of ministerial decisions on reporting, communicating with the public, budgets, etc.
on the independence & autonomy of UK government agencies.
Can they resist “political interference” as a result of ministerial decisions on reporting, communicating with the public, budgets, etc.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
“The good news is that populations are healthier overall.“
🥳
“These results could not have occurred without sustained funding and the global will that established Gavi, The Global Fund, and the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).”
😕
🥳
“These results could not have occurred without sustained funding and the global will that established Gavi, The Global Fund, and the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).”
😕
“These papers lay out for the first time a comprehensive description of health in the post-pandemic world.”
📄 A Lancet Editorial provides an overview of 3 new articles, presented at the @worldhealthsummit.bsky.social: tinyurl.com/yke8vh56 #WHS2025 #GDBStudy @ihmeuw.bsky.social
📄 A Lancet Editorial provides an overview of 3 new articles, presented at the @worldhealthsummit.bsky.social: tinyurl.com/yke8vh56 #WHS2025 #GDBStudy @ihmeuw.bsky.social
Health progress in a post-COVID-19 world
The COVID-19 pandemic upended global mortality and morbidity. COVID-19 was ranked
as the number one age-standardised cause of death globally in 2021 but by 2023 had
dropped to the 20th cause of death ...
www.thelancet.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:33 PM
“The good news is that populations are healthier overall.“
🥳
“These results could not have occurred without sustained funding and the global will that established Gavi, The Global Fund, and the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).”
😕
🥳
“These results could not have occurred without sustained funding and the global will that established Gavi, The Global Fund, and the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).”
😕
A welcome appointment. Not only is Professor Habibi an accomplished scholar and change maker in global health law, but she is also a wonderful colleague.
Congratulations to Professor @roojinhabibi.org, who has been appointed as the inaugural Research Director of the newly launched Global Health Law Program at the Global Strategy Lab @gstrategylab.bsky.social. @ottawahealthlaw.ca
Learn more: bit.ly/4om44ZX
Learn more: bit.ly/4om44ZX
October 17, 2025 at 2:38 AM
A welcome appointment. Not only is Professor Habibi an accomplished scholar and change maker in global health law, but she is also a wonderful colleague.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Félicitations à la professeure @roojinhabibi.org, qui a été nommée directrice de recherche du programme de droit de la santé mondiale nouvellement lancé au Global Strategy Lab (laboratoire de stratégie mondiale) @gstrategylab.bsky.social @ottawahealthlaw.ca w.ca
En savoir plus : bit.ly/3JgQpEH
En savoir plus : bit.ly/3JgQpEH
October 16, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Félicitations à la professeure @roojinhabibi.org, qui a été nommée directrice de recherche du programme de droit de la santé mondiale nouvellement lancé au Global Strategy Lab (laboratoire de stratégie mondiale) @gstrategylab.bsky.social @ottawahealthlaw.ca w.ca
En savoir plus : bit.ly/3JgQpEH
En savoir plus : bit.ly/3JgQpEH
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
"Does federalism really prevent the equitable redistribution of income?" Alain Noël, co-editor of Territories of Inequality: How Federalism and Redistribution Interact, in Policy Options.
Federalism: obstacle or engine of redistribution?
Federalism is often accused of hindering redistribution. Yet data shows it can also enhance it, depending on political choices.
buff.ly
October 16, 2025 at 7:02 PM
"Does federalism really prevent the equitable redistribution of income?" Alain Noël, co-editor of Territories of Inequality: How Federalism and Redistribution Interact, in Policy Options.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
Historians, by contrast are very aware of such things and center them
Public health advocates and scholars are often reluctant to accept how much disgust, pride, and other emotions (purity, eugenics, suicide) shape understanding of health.
My latest article for Health and History @anzshm.bsky.social explores how emotion helped establish new hygienic norms in turn-of-the-century Sydney, revealing how disgust and pride motivated both compliance with and resistance to public health policies on plague and TB:
dx.doi.org/10.1353/hah....
dx.doi.org/10.1353/hah....
October 14, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Historians, by contrast are very aware of such things and center them
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
WHO reports 1 in 6 bacterial infections worldwide are antibiotic-resistant, with resistance rising sharply since 2018. Gram-negative bacteria like E. coli and K. pneumoniae pose the biggest threat. Action on #AMR surveillance and responsible antibiotic use is needed.
www.who.int/news/item/13...
www.who.int/news/item/13...
WHO warns of widespread resistance to common antibiotics worldwide
One in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections causing common infections in people worldwide in 2023 were resistant to antibiotic treatments, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) r...
www.who.int
October 13, 2025 at 11:09 AM
WHO reports 1 in 6 bacterial infections worldwide are antibiotic-resistant, with resistance rising sharply since 2018. Gram-negative bacteria like E. coli and K. pneumoniae pose the biggest threat. Action on #AMR surveillance and responsible antibiotic use is needed.
www.who.int/news/item/13...
www.who.int/news/item/13...
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
This article on Healthy Cities by @evdle.bsky.social might seem like ancient history but I really like it because it's so rare to find a clear articulation of the program theory, process, and outcomes of an agenda like Healthy Cities. I wish more people would do exactly this. We'd learn a lot.
d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net
October 11, 2025 at 2:37 PM
This article on Healthy Cities by @evdle.bsky.social might seem like ancient history but I really like it because it's so rare to find a clear articulation of the program theory, process, and outcomes of an agenda like Healthy Cities. I wish more people would do exactly this. We'd learn a lot.
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
📣 Evidence-supported action speaks louder than words, especially when approaching #AMR.
👂🏽:Listen to our latest #UnpackingAMR episode on the creation of the Independent Panel on Evidence for Action (IPEA), featuring insights from @iruka-okeke.bsky.social & @mcdonnell.bsky.social
▶️ bit.ly/42uUb3U
👂🏽:Listen to our latest #UnpackingAMR episode on the creation of the Independent Panel on Evidence for Action (IPEA), featuring insights from @iruka-okeke.bsky.social & @mcdonnell.bsky.social
▶️ bit.ly/42uUb3U
Unpacking the Independent Panel on Evidence for Action Against AMR - Global Strategy Lab
Unpacking AMR · Unpacking the Independent Panel on Evidence for Action Against AMR "We need the evidence to be able to keep score, to know where we're starting from, see how things are going, and know...
bit.ly
October 9, 2025 at 11:12 PM
📣 Evidence-supported action speaks louder than words, especially when approaching #AMR.
👂🏽:Listen to our latest #UnpackingAMR episode on the creation of the Independent Panel on Evidence for Action (IPEA), featuring insights from @iruka-okeke.bsky.social & @mcdonnell.bsky.social
▶️ bit.ly/42uUb3U
👂🏽:Listen to our latest #UnpackingAMR episode on the creation of the Independent Panel on Evidence for Action (IPEA), featuring insights from @iruka-okeke.bsky.social & @mcdonnell.bsky.social
▶️ bit.ly/42uUb3U
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
October 8, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Reposted by Patrick Fafard
On the uncertainties of Emergency Powers & their limits in Trump’s America. Re-upping this piece I did last December for @thestar.com which is just constantly timely.
(USA = Eternal kairos of the fretful mind?)
(USA = Eternal kairos of the fretful mind?)
www.thestar.com
October 7, 2025 at 1:17 PM
On the uncertainties of Emergency Powers & their limits in Trump’s America. Re-upping this piece I did last December for @thestar.com which is just constantly timely.
(USA = Eternal kairos of the fretful mind?)
(USA = Eternal kairos of the fretful mind?)