Julie Leask AO
@julieleask.bsky.social
Professor of Public Health | Social scientist | Vaccination | Risk communication. School of Public Health, University of Sydney https://sabii.sydney.edu.au/
Reposted by Julie Leask AO
When correcting health misinformation 💉 💊 , it is a truism that one should do that in an empathetic way 🫶. But why should that help? What are the psychological mechanisms? Do we have evidence for its' effectiveness? What are potential backfire effects 🙈? www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Debunking Health Misinformation with Empathy
Debunking is an effective means to mitigate the impact of health misinformation. However, even after receiving a corrective message, misinformation of…
www.sciencedirect.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:13 PM
When correcting health misinformation 💉 💊 , it is a truism that one should do that in an empathetic way 🫶. But why should that help? What are the psychological mechanisms? Do we have evidence for its' effectiveness? What are potential backfire effects 🙈? www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Julie Leask AO
So much opportunity for Australia to lead, and so much apathy by decision makers
November 19, 2025 at 10:51 AM
So much opportunity for Australia to lead, and so much apathy by decision makers
Reposted by Julie Leask AO
Humanitarian and foreign-affairs professionals agree that what is happening in Darfur now is on a scale unlike anything seen in the conflict so far. Why is so little being done? https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/the-fall-of-el-fasher
Rebels Post Videos of Mass Killings in Darfur as the World Watches
After the fall of El Fasher to the R.S.F., observers fear for the next target in the war.
www.newyorker.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Humanitarian and foreign-affairs professionals agree that what is happening in Darfur now is on a scale unlike anything seen in the conflict so far. Why is so little being done? https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/the-fall-of-el-fasher
Reposted by Julie Leask AO
Engagement-based #algorithms amplify intergroup hostility + moral-emotional content, leading it to be overrepresented in your feed
This leads us to falsely perceive that people want to see this kind of content and share more of it.
This technology fuels false polarization: osf.io/preprints/os...
This leads us to falsely perceive that people want to see this kind of content and share more of it.
This technology fuels false polarization: osf.io/preprints/os...
November 4, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Engagement-based #algorithms amplify intergroup hostility + moral-emotional content, leading it to be overrepresented in your feed
This leads us to falsely perceive that people want to see this kind of content and share more of it.
This technology fuels false polarization: osf.io/preprints/os...
This leads us to falsely perceive that people want to see this kind of content and share more of it.
This technology fuels false polarization: osf.io/preprints/os...
Reposted by Julie Leask AO
How does research drive real change?
Our new Lancet- @elsfoundation.bsky.social Evidence to Impact Award is open for proposals!
If your project champions implementation science, health equity, and community engagement, apply now: tinyurl.com/j5dty567
Our new Lancet- @elsfoundation.bsky.social Evidence to Impact Award is open for proposals!
If your project champions implementation science, health equity, and community engagement, apply now: tinyurl.com/j5dty567
October 27, 2025 at 2:54 PM
How does research drive real change?
Our new Lancet- @elsfoundation.bsky.social Evidence to Impact Award is open for proposals!
If your project champions implementation science, health equity, and community engagement, apply now: tinyurl.com/j5dty567
Our new Lancet- @elsfoundation.bsky.social Evidence to Impact Award is open for proposals!
If your project champions implementation science, health equity, and community engagement, apply now: tinyurl.com/j5dty567
What next
RFK Jr to urge Americans to eat more saturated fats, alarming health experts
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
RFK Jr to urge Americans to eat more saturated fats, alarming health experts
Guidance from health and human services secretary contradicts decades of dietary recommendations
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:22 AM
What next
From Life in Prison to the Eras Tour. Joe Garcia’s account of many years in prison and how being a Swiftie helped him with the different feelings and stages www.newyorker.com/culture/pers...
From Life in Prison to the Eras Tour
While serving time for murder, Joe Garcia heard Taylor Swift’s music and thought of the woman he loved. Last year, they were reunited.
www.newyorker.com
October 25, 2025 at 11:56 PM
From Life in Prison to the Eras Tour. Joe Garcia’s account of many years in prison and how being a Swiftie helped him with the different feelings and stages www.newyorker.com/culture/pers...
Australia must ‘step up to prevent catastrophic and preventable loss of life’ amid Trump cuts, former CDC boss says www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Australia must ‘step up to prevent catastrophic and preventable loss of life’ amid Trump cuts, former CDC boss says
Dr Tom Frieden served as director of the US health body under Barack Obama until 2017 and warns about cuts under Donald Trump
www.theguardian.com
October 25, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Australia must ‘step up to prevent catastrophic and preventable loss of life’ amid Trump cuts, former CDC boss says www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by Julie Leask AO
#MythBustingMonday
“Vaccines contain dangerous and toxic ingredients.”
This one never dies, so let’s tackle it properly. Yes, vaccines contain multiple components but context, chemistry, and dose matter. Vaccine ingredients have been studied for decades, across trials and billions of doses. A 🧵
“Vaccines contain dangerous and toxic ingredients.”
This one never dies, so let’s tackle it properly. Yes, vaccines contain multiple components but context, chemistry, and dose matter. Vaccine ingredients have been studied for decades, across trials and billions of doses. A 🧵
October 13, 2025 at 6:59 PM
#MythBustingMonday
“Vaccines contain dangerous and toxic ingredients.”
This one never dies, so let’s tackle it properly. Yes, vaccines contain multiple components but context, chemistry, and dose matter. Vaccine ingredients have been studied for decades, across trials and billions of doses. A 🧵
“Vaccines contain dangerous and toxic ingredients.”
This one never dies, so let’s tackle it properly. Yes, vaccines contain multiple components but context, chemistry, and dose matter. Vaccine ingredients have been studied for decades, across trials and billions of doses. A 🧵
Reposted by Julie Leask AO
So, the President is worthy of preventive health screenings and immunizations, but the people are not??
October 11, 2025 at 10:36 AM
So, the President is worthy of preventive health screenings and immunizations, but the people are not??
Some updated resources on vaccine safety - how they are made, ingredients, side-effects, trust and more. From the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance. ncirs.org.au/vaccine-safety
Vaccine safety | NCIRS
Vaccine safety resources for healthcare providers and the public
ncirs.org.au
October 2, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Some updated resources on vaccine safety - how they are made, ingredients, side-effects, trust and more. From the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance. ncirs.org.au/vaccine-safety
Reposted by Julie Leask AO
On Truth Social Friday, Trump doubled down on unproven claims about Tylenol, vaccines and autism.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Trump pushes unproven medical advice around Tylenol and vaccines
The president posted to social media Friday echoing advice from earlier in the week that is contrary to most medical guidance.
www.nbcnews.com
September 28, 2025 at 8:45 PM
On Truth Social Friday, Trump doubled down on unproven claims about Tylenol, vaccines and autism.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
It’s sad that we’re now having to warn people to be so discerning about what they will hear from the current US government on vaccines. My comments for DW News after the ACIP meeting last week in their article on the recent Tylenol announcement from Trump www.dw.com/en/us-vaccin...
www.dw.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:23 PM
It’s sad that we’re now having to warn people to be so discerning about what they will hear from the current US government on vaccines. My comments for DW News after the ACIP meeting last week in their article on the recent Tylenol announcement from Trump www.dw.com/en/us-vaccin...
Meanwhile here’s a lovely flipchart ready for a trip to PNG tomorrow.
September 20, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Meanwhile here’s a lovely flipchart ready for a trip to PNG tomorrow.
Vaccine Panel Postpones One Vote and Reverses Another Amid Confusion www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/h...
Vaccine Panel Postpones One Vote and Reverses Another Amid Confusion
www.nytimes.com
September 19, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Vaccine Panel Postpones One Vote and Reverses Another Amid Confusion www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/h...
Reposted by Julie Leask AO
When your anti-vax Health Secretary stacks the vaccine committee: "Some members seemed confused about the data they were being presented. After their vote on the program that provides free vaccines for children, some members asked what they just voted on." wapo.st/3K9OBNV
CDC advisers make their first childhood vaccine edit
They voted 8-3 to recommend delaying the use of a measles, mumps, rubella and chicken pox vaccine that about 15 percent of children receive.
wapo.st
September 18, 2025 at 11:34 PM
When your anti-vax Health Secretary stacks the vaccine committee: "Some members seemed confused about the data they were being presented. After their vote on the program that provides free vaccines for children, some members asked what they just voted on." wapo.st/3K9OBNV
Australian expert reaction: US vaccine panel meeting to consider safety of COVID-19 and other vaccines.
www.scimex.org/newsfeed/exp...
www.scimex.org/newsfeed/exp...
EXPERT REACTION: US vaccine panel meeting to consider safety of COVID-
EXPERT REACTION: US vaccine panel meeting to consider safety of COVID-19 and other vaccines
On Thursday and Friday in the US, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)&
www.scimex.org
September 18, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Australian expert reaction: US vaccine panel meeting to consider safety of COVID-19 and other vaccines.
www.scimex.org/newsfeed/exp...
www.scimex.org/newsfeed/exp...
Listening to the end of the ACIP meeting, some members lacked knowledge on how their recommendations affected insurance for children. One motion was only drafted last night and members were confused by its meaning, requesting clarification during the vote. Chaos.
September 18, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Listening to the end of the ACIP meeting, some members lacked knowledge on how their recommendations affected insurance for children. One motion was only drafted last night and members were confused by its meaning, requesting clarification during the vote. Chaos.
Reposted by Julie Leask AO
Amazing moment at ACIP....the language of the votes was released so late that voting members of the committee say they're confused about what they're voting for/against.
September 18, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Amazing moment at ACIP....the language of the votes was released so late that voting members of the committee say they're confused about what they're voting for/against.
Reposted by Julie Leask AO
Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 reaches Gough Island, where it is associated with mortality in three Tristan skuas. This is worrying because Gough Island is an important breeding site for seabirds, including several species of global conservation concern.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
September 12, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 reaches Gough Island, where it is associated with mortality in three Tristan skuas. This is worrying because Gough Island is an important breeding site for seabirds, including several species of global conservation concern.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Florida will end vaccine mandates for children. I am not a fan of rigid mandates, but it's also poor policy to suddenly cease them and while undermining vaccines. Katie Attwell, Nancy Baxter and I unpack this story in @theconvo-bot.bsky.social @sydney.edu.au theconversation.com/can-florida-...
Can Florida really end vaccine mandates? What would this mean for the US and countries like Australia?
Florida plans to scrap all vaccine mandates for school students, with the state’s governor describing them as ‘slavery’. Here’s what this could mean.
theconversation.com
September 5, 2025 at 4:48 AM
Florida will end vaccine mandates for children. I am not a fan of rigid mandates, but it's also poor policy to suddenly cease them and while undermining vaccines. Katie Attwell, Nancy Baxter and I unpack this story in @theconvo-bot.bsky.social @sydney.edu.au theconversation.com/can-florida-...
Reposted by Julie Leask AO
Reposted by Julie Leask AO
gift link to dr. susan monarez’s piece in the wall street journal this morning.
Opinion | Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the CDC and Me
I was fired after 29 days because I held the line and insisted on rigorous scientific review.
www.wsj.com
September 4, 2025 at 12:53 PM
gift link to dr. susan monarez’s piece in the wall street journal this morning.