David Buck
@davidjbuck.bsky.social
Senior fellow in public health and health inequalities at The King's Fund (https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/). Bit of a magpie, don't necessarily agree with those i (re)share. Also over at twitter @davidjbuck.
Pinned
Britain sliding 'into economic crisis' over £85bn sickness bill, ex-John Lewis boss warns
The number of people who are out of work for health reasons has grown by 800,000 since 2019.
bbc.co.uk
1/6. Really welcome Sir Charlie Mayfield's review on #work and #health today in response to this existential reality bbc.co.uk/news/article.... Review link and quick thoughts follow.
"The more government does, the more the public want it to do", no need to fear nanny state arguments. Do the lessons from tobacco control translate to other commercial determinants of health? #ADPHConf25 #CDOH.
November 21, 2025 at 11:54 AM
"The more government does, the more the public want it to do", no need to fear nanny state arguments. Do the lessons from tobacco control translate to other commercial determinants of health? #ADPHConf25 #CDOH.
Great to be at
@adphuk.bsky.social ann conference today, and to be listening to Lord Filkin on what needs to happen now... #ADPHConf25
@adphuk.bsky.social ann conference today, and to be listening to Lord Filkin on what needs to happen now... #ADPHConf25
November 21, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Great to be at
@adphuk.bsky.social ann conference today, and to be listening to Lord Filkin on what needs to happen now... #ADPHConf25
@adphuk.bsky.social ann conference today, and to be listening to Lord Filkin on what needs to happen now... #ADPHConf25
Reposted by David Buck
I asked grok who was the better role model for humanity, Jesus Christ or Elon Musk. GUESS WHAT.
November 20, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I asked grok who was the better role model for humanity, Jesus Christ or Elon Musk. GUESS WHAT.
Reposted by David Buck
Having been involved in the roll out of social prescribing it’s good to see that there is indeed an impact. This team used sensible outcome measures and showed a small but definite change in multiple indicators.
Time to stop trying to answer daft questions about SP tho (eg reductions in admissions)
Time to stop trying to answer daft questions about SP tho (eg reductions in admissions)
ICYMI: A #mustread on #socialprescribing. First - at-scale - quant evaluation of effect in general practice i've seen. Small individual impacts, scaling significantly at population level. Congrats to @lukemunford.bsky.social and colleagues bjgp.org/content/earl...
Impact of the rollout of the national social prescribing link worker programme on population outcomes: evidence from a repeated cross-sectional survey
Background Social prescribing link workers have been rolled out nationally through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme. Link workers connect people to advice and support to address the non-medic...
bjgp.org
November 19, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Having been involved in the roll out of social prescribing it’s good to see that there is indeed an impact. This team used sensible outcome measures and showed a small but definite change in multiple indicators.
Time to stop trying to answer daft questions about SP tho (eg reductions in admissions)
Time to stop trying to answer daft questions about SP tho (eg reductions in admissions)
ICYMI: A #mustread on #socialprescribing. First - at-scale - quant evaluation of effect in general practice i've seen. Small individual impacts, scaling significantly at population level. Congrats to @lukemunford.bsky.social and colleagues bjgp.org/content/earl...
Impact of the rollout of the national social prescribing link worker programme on population outcomes: evidence from a repeated cross-sectional survey
Background Social prescribing link workers have been rolled out nationally through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme. Link workers connect people to advice and support to address the non-medic...
bjgp.org
November 19, 2025 at 8:54 AM
ICYMI: A #mustread on #socialprescribing. First - at-scale - quant evaluation of effect in general practice i've seen. Small individual impacts, scaling significantly at population level. Congrats to @lukemunford.bsky.social and colleagues bjgp.org/content/earl...
Reposted by David Buck
This is the point. Policy *should not* be adjusted or fine-tuned in response to minor forecasting judgements. Decisions about whether or not to break a prominent manifesto promise *should not* depend on minor forecasting judgements. This stuff matters. We've got to do better than this.
I know it’s always like this. But one striking thing from the budget kite flying and kite pulling back in, is how major policy decisions are constantly being buffeted around by iterative forecast changes.
All feels a bit of a silly way to be making major economic policy & political decisions.
All feels a bit of a silly way to be making major economic policy & political decisions.
November 14, 2025 at 3:23 PM
This is the point. Policy *should not* be adjusted or fine-tuned in response to minor forecasting judgements. Decisions about whether or not to break a prominent manifesto promise *should not* depend on minor forecasting judgements. This stuff matters. We've got to do better than this.
Reposted by David Buck
"These findings suggest that reductions in disability-related benefits may exacerbate financial and mental health vulnerability among affected individuals but not affect employment."
The Health, Poverty and Employment Effects of Cutting Income Replacement Benefits for the Disabled: A Difference -in-Difference Analysis of the 2016 Welfare Reforms. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
The Health, Poverty and Employment Effects of Cutting Income Replacement Benefits for the Disabled: A Difference -in-Difference Analysis of the 2016 Welfare Reforms
<p><b><span>Background: </span></b><span>Health-related economic inactivity in England has risen, with more working-age adults claiming disability benefits. The
papers.ssrn.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:28 AM
"These findings suggest that reductions in disability-related benefits may exacerbate financial and mental health vulnerability among affected individuals but not affect employment."
Reposted by David Buck
A few thoughts on alcohol duty ahead of the budget (and an excuse to update some old graphs).
These two show the important of accounting for inflation - in cash terms alcohol duty rates are higher than ever before, but in real terms they are at historically low levels.
These two show the important of accounting for inflation - in cash terms alcohol duty rates are higher than ever before, but in real terms they are at historically low levels.
November 13, 2025 at 12:05 PM
A few thoughts on alcohol duty ahead of the budget (and an excuse to update some old graphs).
These two show the important of accounting for inflation - in cash terms alcohol duty rates are higher than ever before, but in real terms they are at historically low levels.
These two show the important of accounting for inflation - in cash terms alcohol duty rates are higher than ever before, but in real terms they are at historically low levels.
Reposted by David Buck
🏗️🚍 When housing & transport are unaffordable, good health is impossible
📖 This new essay from CLES & @thekingsfund.bsky.social shows how mayors & strategic authorities can tackle unaffordability and put people first through interventions like municipal ownership 👇
cles.org.uk/publications...
📖 This new essay from CLES & @thekingsfund.bsky.social shows how mayors & strategic authorities can tackle unaffordability and put people first through interventions like municipal ownership 👇
cles.org.uk/publications...
November 13, 2025 at 8:27 AM
🏗️🚍 When housing & transport are unaffordable, good health is impossible
📖 This new essay from CLES & @thekingsfund.bsky.social shows how mayors & strategic authorities can tackle unaffordability and put people first through interventions like municipal ownership 👇
cles.org.uk/publications...
📖 This new essay from CLES & @thekingsfund.bsky.social shows how mayors & strategic authorities can tackle unaffordability and put people first through interventions like municipal ownership 👇
cles.org.uk/publications...
Reposted by David Buck
‘The hundreds of billions of dollars companies are investing in AI now account for an astonishing 40 per cent share of US GDP growth this year… Outside of the AI plays, even European stock markets have been outperforming the US this decade’
on.ft.com/4pTQ3US
on.ft.com/4pTQ3US
America is now one big bet on AI
It’s seen as the magic fix for every threat to the US economy
on.ft.com
October 6, 2025 at 6:06 AM
‘The hundreds of billions of dollars companies are investing in AI now account for an astonishing 40 per cent share of US GDP growth this year… Outside of the AI plays, even European stock markets have been outperforming the US this decade’
on.ft.com/4pTQ3US
on.ft.com/4pTQ3US
>>>> @adphuk.bsky.social on mis- and dis-information and health www.adph.org.uk/2025/10/a-st...
A strategic look at mis and disinformation - ADPH
www.adph.org.uk
November 12, 2025 at 11:38 AM
>>>> @adphuk.bsky.social on mis- and dis-information and health www.adph.org.uk/2025/10/a-st...
Some will remember this - the ModAg! It's all in that box.
November 11, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Some will remember this - the ModAg! It's all in that box.
Reposted by David Buck
He's going to 'make the case for markets' despite screwing up Britain's place in a very large one, and putting up trade barriers.
November 6, 2025 at 8:20 PM
He's going to 'make the case for markets' despite screwing up Britain's place in a very large one, and putting up trade barriers.
Reposted by David Buck
Flu is spiking up unusually early this year. The chart below shows hospital admissions, compared to six recent flu seasons.
Other indicators like flu test positivity paint the same picture.
From today's @ukhsa.bsky.social surveillance update:
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Other indicators like flu test positivity paint the same picture.
From today's @ukhsa.bsky.social surveillance update:
www.gov.uk/government/s...
November 6, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Flu is spiking up unusually early this year. The chart below shows hospital admissions, compared to six recent flu seasons.
Other indicators like flu test positivity paint the same picture.
From today's @ukhsa.bsky.social surveillance update:
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Other indicators like flu test positivity paint the same picture.
From today's @ukhsa.bsky.social surveillance update:
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Good thread, lots of competing (with different advocates and 'fashions') and shifting meanings of health inequalities (as other concepts such as population health), v evident in English policy and debate too over time.
The health inequalities agenda is "tired and risks having run out of road" - not my words, the words of a senior health policymaker in the Scottish Government. But other SG policymakers told me health inequalities were a "huge priority" - so what's going on? A thread... 1/
November 6, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Good thread, lots of competing (with different advocates and 'fashions') and shifting meanings of health inequalities (as other concepts such as population health), v evident in English policy and debate too over time.
Reposted by David Buck
🎧 Speaking to Emma Vardy on Radio 5 Live, @davefinch.bsky.social says, with 1 in 5 working-age people reporting a work-limiting health condition, it is vital that government and employers now act on the Mayfield review's recommendations.
Listen from 2.11 ⬇️
Listen from 2.11 ⬇️
Naga Munchetty - With Emma Vardy - BBC Sounds
Emma Vardy features news, experiences, and big name interviews from around the UK.
bbc.in
November 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM
🎧 Speaking to Emma Vardy on Radio 5 Live, @davefinch.bsky.social says, with 1 in 5 working-age people reporting a work-limiting health condition, it is vital that government and employers now act on the Mayfield review's recommendations.
Listen from 2.11 ⬇️
Listen from 2.11 ⬇️
Reposted by David Buck
Long covid prevalence is available in OHID's Fingertips tool, am not sure this data is much known about! fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/gene...
National General Practice Profiles - Data | Fingertips | Department of Health and Social Care
Data on patient demographics, satisfaction with GP services, prevalence of common conditions and general practice achievement results.
fingertips.phe.org.uk
November 5, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Long covid prevalence is available in OHID's Fingertips tool, am not sure this data is much known about! fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/gene...
Good to be in Leeds today with colleagues old and new, on #devolition and #health. So much potential - tx great panel made it easy to chair on #partnership between ICS/strategic authorities and local authorities for #health. Tx @healthfoundation.bsky.social for support.
November 5, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Good to be in Leeds today with colleagues old and new, on #devolition and #health. So much potential - tx great panel made it easy to chair on #partnership between ICS/strategic authorities and local authorities for #health. Tx @healthfoundation.bsky.social for support.
Reposted by David Buck
Welcoming the final report from Sir Charlie Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working Review, @davefinch.bsky.social says the only sustainable way to meet the growing workforce health challenge and improve lives is to keep people healthy and in work from the outset.
Read more ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4nz5EH1
Read more ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4nz5EH1
November 5, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Welcoming the final report from Sir Charlie Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working Review, @davefinch.bsky.social says the only sustainable way to meet the growing workforce health challenge and improve lives is to keep people healthy and in work from the outset.
Read more ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4nz5EH1
Read more ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4nz5EH1
1/6. Really welcome Sir Charlie Mayfield's review on #work and #health today in response to this existential reality bbc.co.uk/news/article.... Review link and quick thoughts follow.
Britain sliding 'into economic crisis' over £85bn sickness bill, ex-John Lewis boss warns
The number of people who are out of work for health reasons has grown by 800,000 since 2019.
bbc.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:38 AM
1/6. Really welcome Sir Charlie Mayfield's review on #work and #health today in response to this existential reality bbc.co.uk/news/article.... Review link and quick thoughts follow.
Reposted by David Buck
'The depth of admin failures suggest that fixing admin is a highly complex area that requires resources, skill, leadership and walking in the shoes of patients and carers'
Julia Cream looks at two areas where they're trying to do admin differently. https://bit.ly/47BI6vq
Julia Cream looks at two areas where they're trying to do admin differently. https://bit.ly/47BI6vq
Who Picks Up The Phone? Different Approaches To NHS Admin | The King's Fund
Improving NHS admin isn’t easy – but some solutions are surprisingly simple. Julia Cream looks at two real life examples of admin done differently.
bit.ly
October 30, 2025 at 4:00 PM
'The depth of admin failures suggest that fixing admin is a highly complex area that requires resources, skill, leadership and walking in the shoes of patients and carers'
Julia Cream looks at two areas where they're trying to do admin differently. https://bit.ly/47BI6vq
Julia Cream looks at two areas where they're trying to do admin differently. https://bit.ly/47BI6vq
1/2. Really interesting work from @impurbanhealth.bsky.social on #financial #health, #GPs, #socialprescribing etc. To add to previous examples. This wider concept of helth and wellbeing is what #neighbourhoodhealth service should be about IMHO. But... urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/rep...
Financial Shield project: Supporting health by tackling financial stress
Supporting working-age people with long-term health conditions and financial difficulties.
urbanhealth.org.uk
October 31, 2025 at 1:57 PM
1/2. Really interesting work from @impurbanhealth.bsky.social on #financial #health, #GPs, #socialprescribing etc. To add to previous examples. This wider concept of helth and wellbeing is what #neighbourhoodhealth service should be about IMHO. But... urbanhealth.org.uk/insights/rep...
Reposted by David Buck
2nd edition of our The AI Shift newsletter is out. The question today: could AI be making us LESS productive? @jburnmurdoch.ft.com www.ft.com/content/2480... At the individual level, it's clear we're not reliable witnesses on this Q. At an organisational level, it gets even more interesting...
October 30, 2025 at 1:11 PM
2nd edition of our The AI Shift newsletter is out. The question today: could AI be making us LESS productive? @jburnmurdoch.ft.com www.ft.com/content/2480... At the individual level, it's clear we're not reliable witnesses on this Q. At an organisational level, it gets even more interesting...