Alison Buttenheim
@alison-buttenheim.bsky.social
Behavioral scientist and public health nerd. Super into preventing infectious disease through behavior change, policy impact, and LEGO® Serious Play®. (Yes, really).
Pinned
🤓 I study the human behavioral aspects of infectious disease prevention.
"Human" means:
🏌️🫄👨🦽individuals going about their daily lives
🤧😷 patients making decisions about prevention & treatment
👩⚕️💊💉providers who screen, prescribe & treat;
🧑💼🇺🇸🏛️ policy-makers (big P, little p) who make laws & regs
⬇️
"Human" means:
🏌️🫄👨🦽individuals going about their daily lives
🤧😷 patients making decisions about prevention & treatment
👩⚕️💊💉providers who screen, prescribe & treat;
🧑💼🇺🇸🏛️ policy-makers (big P, little p) who make laws & regs
⬇️
{starts searching for flights to Atlanta...}
🦠ATTENTION ATLANTA! 🤒
While the new anti-vax members of ACIP discuss how best to restrict vaccine access, we're holding a parade of diseases outside CDC. So brush off that polio costume and come dressed to kill!
*Plz dress as the organism-not an infected person-we don't want to appear to mock ppl
While the new anti-vax members of ACIP discuss how best to restrict vaccine access, we're holding a parade of diseases outside CDC. So brush off that polio costume and come dressed to kill!
*Plz dress as the organism-not an infected person-we don't want to appear to mock ppl
June 19, 2025 at 10:25 PM
{starts searching for flights to Atlanta...}
💊 How do "red pilling" narratives help us understand the current anti-vaccine moment?
📆 When we started working on this paper in Summer 2022, we didn't think it would take 3 years to write & publish.
😬 We also didn't think it would still be SOOOOOO timely.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
📆 When we started working on this paper in Summer 2022, we didn't think it would take 3 years to write & publish.
😬 We also didn't think it would still be SOOOOOO timely.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
June 19, 2025 at 10:21 PM
💊 How do "red pilling" narratives help us understand the current anti-vaccine moment?
📆 When we started working on this paper in Summer 2022, we didn't think it would take 3 years to write & publish.
😬 We also didn't think it would still be SOOOOOO timely.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
📆 When we started working on this paper in Summer 2022, we didn't think it would take 3 years to write & publish.
😬 We also didn't think it would still be SOOOOOO timely.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Gov Little did veto the Idaho bill that would have turned schools and workplaces into cesspools. A positive step, and a nice little piece of policy jujitsu: Little claimed the bill "removes parents’ freedom to keep their kids healthy at school."
www.boisestatepublicradio.org/politics-gov...
www.boisestatepublicradio.org/politics-gov...
March 31, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Gov Little did veto the Idaho bill that would have turned schools and workplaces into cesspools. A positive step, and a nice little piece of policy jujitsu: Little claimed the bill "removes parents’ freedom to keep their kids healthy at school."
www.boisestatepublicradio.org/politics-gov...
www.boisestatepublicradio.org/politics-gov...
Vaccines for Children grants. All terminated.
Every single one of the 64 US jurisdictions managing our immunization programs.
See Philadelphia's Dept Pub Health cuts below. The VFC terminations run from pages 25-31 in this listing: taggs.hhs.gov/Content/Data...
HANDS OFF VACCINES FOR CHILDREN!
Every single one of the 64 US jurisdictions managing our immunization programs.
See Philadelphia's Dept Pub Health cuts below. The VFC terminations run from pages 25-31 in this listing: taggs.hhs.gov/Content/Data...
HANDS OFF VACCINES FOR CHILDREN!
March 31, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Vaccines for Children grants. All terminated.
Every single one of the 64 US jurisdictions managing our immunization programs.
See Philadelphia's Dept Pub Health cuts below. The VFC terminations run from pages 25-31 in this listing: taggs.hhs.gov/Content/Data...
HANDS OFF VACCINES FOR CHILDREN!
Every single one of the 64 US jurisdictions managing our immunization programs.
See Philadelphia's Dept Pub Health cuts below. The VFC terminations run from pages 25-31 in this listing: taggs.hhs.gov/Content/Data...
HANDS OFF VACCINES FOR CHILDREN!
No more school-entry vaccine mandates in Idaho?
Tomorrow (Saturday 3/28), Idaho Gov Brad Little may sign (or let pass into law w/o his signature) an *unprecedented* decimation of hard-won herd immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Couched as "medical freedom", Senate Bill 1023 would...
Tomorrow (Saturday 3/28), Idaho Gov Brad Little may sign (or let pass into law w/o his signature) an *unprecedented* decimation of hard-won herd immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Couched as "medical freedom", Senate Bill 1023 would...
Idaho could be the first state in the nation to lose their school immunization requirements. Not only will that put Idahoans at risk, but as we see with the current measles outbreak, diseases don't recognize state boundaries.
Lawmakers advance 'Medical Freedom' bill banning vaccine mandates by businesses, local governments
Idaho lawmakers are advancing a bill expanding a ban on medical mandates from public entities and businesses. The proposal was introduced in February and originally written to target COVID Vaccination...
www.boisestatepublicradio.org
March 29, 2025 at 1:02 AM
No more school-entry vaccine mandates in Idaho?
Tomorrow (Saturday 3/28), Idaho Gov Brad Little may sign (or let pass into law w/o his signature) an *unprecedented* decimation of hard-won herd immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Couched as "medical freedom", Senate Bill 1023 would...
Tomorrow (Saturday 3/28), Idaho Gov Brad Little may sign (or let pass into law w/o his signature) an *unprecedented* decimation of hard-won herd immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Couched as "medical freedom", Senate Bill 1023 would...
Thanks @pennldi.bsky.social for summarizing our work on the B-OK bottles so succinctly in this research brief.
Click through to learn how human-centered design + behavioral insights can change mental models and improve both understanding and intentions related to HIV treatment adherence and U=U.
Click through to learn how human-centered design + behavioral insights can change mental models and improve both understanding and intentions related to HIV treatment adherence and U=U.
NEW FINDINGS: Simple visual aids, such as bead-filled bottles, may change attitudes and improve intent to take medication among people with HIV.
Read our research brief here: ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/res...
Read our research brief here: ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/res...
Visual Tools Improve Understanding of HIV Medication
Bottles filled with beads representing the HIV virus in the body can improve understanding of living with HIV and the intention to take medication.
ldi.upenn.edu
March 28, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Thanks @pennldi.bsky.social for summarizing our work on the B-OK bottles so succinctly in this research brief.
Click through to learn how human-centered design + behavioral insights can change mental models and improve both understanding and intentions related to HIV treatment adherence and U=U.
Click through to learn how human-centered design + behavioral insights can change mental models and improve both understanding and intentions related to HIV treatment adherence and U=U.
Reposted by Alison Buttenheim
We just wanted to take a moment to thank all our new supporters! Tomorrow, there will be more of us!
March 17, 2025 at 9:53 PM
We just wanted to take a moment to thank all our new supporters! Tomorrow, there will be more of us!
Ok, I've seen enough. Can we just fast forward to this part, please?
March 13, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Ok, I've seen enough. Can we just fast forward to this part, please?
An HHS Secretary who believes and is willing to spread this misinformation will cause deaths this year.
RFK Jr on the measles vaccine: "There are adverse events from the vaccine. It does cause deaths every year. It causes all the illnesses that measles itself cause."
March 12, 2025 at 3:44 PM
An HHS Secretary who believes and is willing to spread this misinformation will cause deaths this year.
“It is the policy of NIH not to prioritize research activities that focuses gaining scientific knowledge on why individuals are hesitant to be vaccinated and/or explore ways to improve vaccine interest and commitment"
From @washingtonpost.com story
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
From @washingtonpost.com story
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
NIH to terminate or limit grants related to vaccine hesitancy and uptake
The order covers more than 40 awards to researchers around the country seeking to understand why vaccine acceptance has declined.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 10, 2025 at 10:01 PM
“It is the policy of NIH not to prioritize research activities that focuses gaining scientific knowledge on why individuals are hesitant to be vaccinated and/or explore ways to improve vaccine interest and commitment"
From @washingtonpost.com story
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
From @washingtonpost.com story
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Wait don't we have a DOGE that's supposed to root out waste?
The CDC is reportedly planning a large study into potential connections between vaccines and autism, "despite extensive scientific research that has disproven or failed to find evidence of such links"
Exclusive: U.S. CDC plans study into vaccines and autism, sources say
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is planning a large study into potential connections between vaccines and autism, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, despite extensive scientific research that has disproven or failed to find evidence of such links.
www.reuters.com
March 7, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Wait don't we have a DOGE that's supposed to root out waste?
😡 And....March 20th study section just cancelled.
🤔Not a surprise.
🤦But still a disappointment.
❤️🔴Special Emphasis Panel on HIV behavioral intervention.
🤔Not a surprise.
🤦But still a disappointment.
❤️🔴Special Emphasis Panel on HIV behavioral intervention.
March 5, 2025 at 12:44 AM
😡 And....March 20th study section just cancelled.
🤔Not a surprise.
🤦But still a disappointment.
❤️🔴Special Emphasis Panel on HIV behavioral intervention.
🤔Not a surprise.
🤦But still a disappointment.
❤️🔴Special Emphasis Panel on HIV behavioral intervention.
It turns out that public healthing is hard with no people.
Some employees who were previously fired received emails saying they're "clear to return to work."
In a sudden reversal, CDC rescinds some staff firings
Some employees who were previously fired received emails saying they're "cleared to return to work."
www.npr.org
March 5, 2025 at 12:36 AM
It turns out that public healthing is hard with no people.
Reposted by Alison Buttenheim
Maybe it would be best if unlicensed medical advice was not promoted.
March 5, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Maybe it would be best if unlicensed medical advice was not promoted.
Man that would be so cool
www.accuweather.com/en/health-we...
www.accuweather.com/en/health-we...
March 4, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Man that would be so cool
www.accuweather.com/en/health-we...
www.accuweather.com/en/health-we...
Reposted by Alison Buttenheim
can't believe it's 2025 and i'm stressed about tariffs and measles, like am i a character in an american girl book
March 3, 2025 at 9:09 PM
can't believe it's 2025 and i'm stressed about tariffs and measles, like am i a character in an american girl book
Oh, fine, nothing to see here. Just some totally normal and evidence-based things for HHS secy to say in the wake of a crushing outbreak of measles. #notnormal
March 3, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Oh, fine, nothing to see here. Just some totally normal and evidence-based things for HHS secy to say in the wake of a crushing outbreak of measles. #notnormal
Reposted by Alison Buttenheim
RFK Jr. said today that there have been 2 measles deaths this year, not one in the US.
STAT doesn't know of a second death, #CDC is referring queries to #HHS & HHS hasn't answered our call or email. If you know anything, please pass the information along. www.statnews.com/2025/02/26/t...
STAT doesn't know of a second death, #CDC is referring queries to #HHS & HHS hasn't answered our call or email. If you know anything, please pass the information along. www.statnews.com/2025/02/26/t...
Texas measles outbreak marks first fatality as more cases reported
A child in Texas has died from measles, the first death from measles in the United States since 2015.
www.statnews.com
February 26, 2025 at 8:10 PM
RFK Jr. said today that there have been 2 measles deaths this year, not one in the US.
STAT doesn't know of a second death, #CDC is referring queries to #HHS & HHS hasn't answered our call or email. If you know anything, please pass the information along. www.statnews.com/2025/02/26/t...
STAT doesn't know of a second death, #CDC is referring queries to #HHS & HHS hasn't answered our call or email. If you know anything, please pass the information along. www.statnews.com/2025/02/26/t...
CDC website only updating measles outbreak information "every Friday".
February 26, 2025 at 7:14 PM
CDC website only updating measles outbreak information "every Friday".
Reposted by Alison Buttenheim
Remember, most young doctors like myself have never seen measles outside of textbooks.
It’s because measles-containing vaccines work.
It’s because measles-containing vaccines work.
February 26, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Remember, most young doctors like myself have never seen measles outside of textbooks.
It’s because measles-containing vaccines work.
It’s because measles-containing vaccines work.
Also: Heads up --- anti-vaxxers are trying to sow confusion about whether this outbreak is due to "vaccine-type" or "wild-type" measles strain. Don't fall for it.
RFK JR on Measles Outbreaks just now: "It is not unusual. There are measles outbreaks every year."
It is actually very unusual. This is the first Measles death in the US in 10 years.
It is actually very unusual. This is the first Measles death in the US in 10 years.
February 26, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Also: Heads up --- anti-vaxxers are trying to sow confusion about whether this outbreak is due to "vaccine-type" or "wild-type" measles strain. Don't fall for it.
Reposted by Alison Buttenheim
A helpful analogy for indirect costs:
When a coffee shop sets the price of a cup of coffee, they build in the cost of electricity, rent, etc.
Universities are *not allowed* to list these types of expenses as direct costs on a grant, even though they are very real costs of doing research.
When a coffee shop sets the price of a cup of coffee, they build in the cost of electricity, rent, etc.
Universities are *not allowed* to list these types of expenses as direct costs on a grant, even though they are very real costs of doing research.
February 24, 2025 at 5:20 PM
A helpful analogy for indirect costs:
When a coffee shop sets the price of a cup of coffee, they build in the cost of electricity, rent, etc.
Universities are *not allowed* to list these types of expenses as direct costs on a grant, even though they are very real costs of doing research.
When a coffee shop sets the price of a cup of coffee, they build in the cost of electricity, rent, etc.
Universities are *not allowed* to list these types of expenses as direct costs on a grant, even though they are very real costs of doing research.
"Buttenheim noted that science literacy among Americans is generally not high, and people don’t understand that science is an iterative process. `We live in a world where people are really uncomfortable with the idea that science evolves.' "
Latest from @helenbranswell.bsky.social @statnews.com
Latest from @helenbranswell.bsky.social @statnews.com
Vaccine safety researchers know you have to follow the science, regardless of whether it exonerates or implicates a vaccine in a suspected side effect. They also know their work may be weaponized & misconstrued by people trying to undermine vaccine confidence. www.statnews.com/2025/02/24/p...
A small study on Covid vaccine safety sparks an online tempest
A small study on Covid vaccine safety has sparked an online tempest — and highlighted the conundrum faced by some scientists.
www.statnews.com
February 24, 2025 at 5:27 PM
"Buttenheim noted that science literacy among Americans is generally not high, and people don’t understand that science is an iterative process. `We live in a world where people are really uncomfortable with the idea that science evolves.' "
Latest from @helenbranswell.bsky.social @statnews.com
Latest from @helenbranswell.bsky.social @statnews.com
All three faculty members quoted in this Daily Pennsylvanian article about cuts to PhD programs after acceptances were sent out "requested anonymity due to a fear of retribution".
Wow.
We are in unprecedented times. @upenn.bsky.social
www.thedp.com/article/2025...
Wow.
We are in unprecedented times. @upenn.bsky.social
www.thedp.com/article/2025...
Penn to reduce graduate admissions, rescind acceptances amid federal research funding cuts
Penn notified department chairs that it will cut admissions across graduate programs — a decision faculty members say will force them to rescind offers from newly-accepted students.
www.thedp.com
February 22, 2025 at 7:08 PM
All three faculty members quoted in this Daily Pennsylvanian article about cuts to PhD programs after acceptances were sent out "requested anonymity due to a fear of retribution".
Wow.
We are in unprecedented times. @upenn.bsky.social
www.thedp.com/article/2025...
Wow.
We are in unprecedented times. @upenn.bsky.social
www.thedp.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Alison Buttenheim
Web archive of Childhood and Adult vaccine recommendations from the CDC. Just in case.
web.archive.org/web/20250122...
web.archive.org/web/20250122...
Immunization Schedules
Make sure your patients stay up to date on recommended vaccines using these schedules.
web.archive.org
February 21, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Web archive of Childhood and Adult vaccine recommendations from the CDC. Just in case.
web.archive.org/web/20250122...
web.archive.org/web/20250122...