Matthew Kavanagh
@matthewkavanagh.bsky.social
Prof of Global Health and Law, Director, Center for Global Health Policy & Politics
Georgetown University
https://ghpp.georgetown.edu/profiles/matthew-m-kavanagh-phd/
Georgetown University
https://ghpp.georgetown.edu/profiles/matthew-m-kavanagh-phd/
Hi from the Dubai airport at midnight where I am hoping that JNB>DBX>IAD instead of JNB>EWR>DCA will actually get me home.
Was supposed to be hanging with my kid and my boo but Trump wants to end the filibuster, so...
Was supposed to be hanging with my kid and my boo but Trump wants to end the filibuster, so...
November 8, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Hi from the Dubai airport at midnight where I am hoping that JNB>DBX>IAD instead of JNB>EWR>DCA will actually get me home.
Was supposed to be hanging with my kid and my boo but Trump wants to end the filibuster, so...
Was supposed to be hanging with my kid and my boo but Trump wants to end the filibuster, so...
I’m here in Polokwane and the US just blocked a G20 Health Minister declaration, refused to include UHC or Equity because, well, they don’t believe in universal, taxes, equity, or solidarity they say
November 7, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I’m here in Polokwane and the US just blocked a G20 Health Minister declaration, refused to include UHC or Equity because, well, they don’t believe in universal, taxes, equity, or solidarity they say
These two brilliant people, lucky to learn from them and be inspired by them.
November 5, 2025 at 9:13 AM
These two brilliant people, lucky to learn from them and be inspired by them.
Our new report: Breaking the Inequality-Pandemic Cycle
We find clear empirical evidence inequality is making the world more vulnerable to pandemics: outbreaks become pandemics, pandemics last longer & do more damage, pandemics ⬆️ inequality and fuel the cycle
www.inequalitycouncil.org/report-inequ...
We find clear empirical evidence inequality is making the world more vulnerable to pandemics: outbreaks become pandemics, pandemics last longer & do more damage, pandemics ⬆️ inequality and fuel the cycle
www.inequalitycouncil.org/report-inequ...
November 3, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Our new report: Breaking the Inequality-Pandemic Cycle
We find clear empirical evidence inequality is making the world more vulnerable to pandemics: outbreaks become pandemics, pandemics last longer & do more damage, pandemics ⬆️ inequality and fuel the cycle
www.inequalitycouncil.org/report-inequ...
We find clear empirical evidence inequality is making the world more vulnerable to pandemics: outbreaks become pandemics, pandemics last longer & do more damage, pandemics ⬆️ inequality and fuel the cycle
www.inequalitycouncil.org/report-inequ...
On my way to Johannesburg for launch of our Global Council on Inequality, AIDS, and Pandemics big report: the inequality-pandemic cycle. Then on to present it at the G20 Health Ministers meeting
(flying via Newark in govt shut down so, gulp, wish me luck!)
@unaids.org
@ghpp-georgetown.bsky.social
(flying via Newark in govt shut down so, gulp, wish me luck!)
@unaids.org
@ghpp-georgetown.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 9:36 PM
On my way to Johannesburg for launch of our Global Council on Inequality, AIDS, and Pandemics big report: the inequality-pandemic cycle. Then on to present it at the G20 Health Ministers meeting
(flying via Newark in govt shut down so, gulp, wish me luck!)
@unaids.org
@ghpp-georgetown.bsky.social
(flying via Newark in govt shut down so, gulp, wish me luck!)
@unaids.org
@ghpp-georgetown.bsky.social
Washington, Chicago, Boston, Des Moines Iowa.
A reminder of Erica Chenoweth's work that nearly always authoritarianism fails when at least 3.5% of the population is mobilized against it...
www.harvardmagazine.com/2025/07/eric...
A reminder of Erica Chenoweth's work that nearly always authoritarianism fails when at least 3.5% of the population is mobilized against it...
www.harvardmagazine.com/2025/07/eric...
October 18, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Washington, Chicago, Boston, Des Moines Iowa.
A reminder of Erica Chenoweth's work that nearly always authoritarianism fails when at least 3.5% of the population is mobilized against it...
www.harvardmagazine.com/2025/07/eric...
A reminder of Erica Chenoweth's work that nearly always authoritarianism fails when at least 3.5% of the population is mobilized against it...
www.harvardmagazine.com/2025/07/eric...
What if decline in dominance of the west isn’t a problem?
Great talk today at @ausis.bsky.social Amitav Acharya, The Once and Future World Order argues the core ideas of world order come as much from the South as from Europe or US. Diversity of ideas may help w stability and peace long term.
Great talk today at @ausis.bsky.social Amitav Acharya, The Once and Future World Order argues the core ideas of world order come as much from the South as from Europe or US. Diversity of ideas may help w stability and peace long term.
October 8, 2025 at 3:33 PM
What if decline in dominance of the west isn’t a problem?
Great talk today at @ausis.bsky.social Amitav Acharya, The Once and Future World Order argues the core ideas of world order come as much from the South as from Europe or US. Diversity of ideas may help w stability and peace long term.
Great talk today at @ausis.bsky.social Amitav Acharya, The Once and Future World Order argues the core ideas of world order come as much from the South as from Europe or US. Diversity of ideas may help w stability and peace long term.
Here’s the thing: US *does* pay 3x what other countries do in pharma prices. But it’s not what Donald says: it’s because we use NONE of the regulatory tools we could to bring prices down
Wait til everyone hears we pay 99% more than it actually costs to make the drugs AND taxes pay most of the R&D!
Wait til everyone hears we pay 99% more than it actually costs to make the drugs AND taxes pay most of the R&D!
October 2, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Here’s the thing: US *does* pay 3x what other countries do in pharma prices. But it’s not what Donald says: it’s because we use NONE of the regulatory tools we could to bring prices down
Wait til everyone hears we pay 99% more than it actually costs to make the drugs AND taxes pay most of the R&D!
Wait til everyone hears we pay 99% more than it actually costs to make the drugs AND taxes pay most of the R&D!
Enemies list: have we read this EO?
Directs DOJ & Treasury create *new* designation “domestic terrorist organization”
Cloaked in idea of “violence” actual legal language directs sweeping investigations & prosecution of foundations & organizations based on opposition to MAGA politicl agenda. It says…
Directs DOJ & Treasury create *new* designation “domestic terrorist organization”
Cloaked in idea of “violence” actual legal language directs sweeping investigations & prosecution of foundations & organizations based on opposition to MAGA politicl agenda. It says…
September 27, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Enemies list: have we read this EO?
Directs DOJ & Treasury create *new* designation “domestic terrorist organization”
Cloaked in idea of “violence” actual legal language directs sweeping investigations & prosecution of foundations & organizations based on opposition to MAGA politicl agenda. It says…
Directs DOJ & Treasury create *new* designation “domestic terrorist organization”
Cloaked in idea of “violence” actual legal language directs sweeping investigations & prosecution of foundations & organizations based on opposition to MAGA politicl agenda. It says…
history and practices of authoritarianism don’t suggest no need to worry. read the text, this new EO targets way beyond violence to efforts to “change or direct policy outcomes” and targets non profits, foundations that support undefined “extremism on migration, race, and gender”
September 26, 2025 at 10:49 PM
history and practices of authoritarianism don’t suggest no need to worry. read the text, this new EO targets way beyond violence to efforts to “change or direct policy outcomes” and targets non profits, foundations that support undefined “extremism on migration, race, and gender”
…In @thelancet.com we described his POLICY was used to ration oral prep when limited product was available, making only a few groups eligible. This created stigma and policies that still lag today. All must be avail to all by policy, priority not targeting
download-files.wixmp.com/ugd/5eb22a_0...
download-files.wixmp.com/ugd/5eb22a_0...
September 24, 2025 at 2:19 PM
…In @thelancet.com we described his POLICY was used to ration oral prep when limited product was available, making only a few groups eligible. This created stigma and policies that still lag today. All must be avail to all by policy, priority not targeting
download-files.wixmp.com/ugd/5eb22a_0...
download-files.wixmp.com/ugd/5eb22a_0...
Important announcement on HIV prevention shot: 2 companies will make it for just $40/yr. At that price global scale up is possible. unitaid.org/news-blog/le...
Been writing on this moment where world must learn from past & avoid mistakes of scale, policy restriction, and geography. We said…
Been writing on this moment where world must learn from past & avoid mistakes of scale, policy restriction, and geography. We said…
September 24, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Important announcement on HIV prevention shot: 2 companies will make it for just $40/yr. At that price global scale up is possible. unitaid.org/news-blog/le...
Been writing on this moment where world must learn from past & avoid mistakes of scale, policy restriction, and geography. We said…
Been writing on this moment where world must learn from past & avoid mistakes of scale, policy restriction, and geography. We said…
Remarkable day
September 20, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Remarkable day
Is the plan for the next few years at least “Multilateralism without the United States”?
I am skeptical, I suspect this is hopeful but deeper change will come/be needed. the center will not hold.
I am skeptical, I suspect this is hopeful but deeper change will come/be needed. the center will not hold.
September 13, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Is the plan for the next few years at least “Multilateralism without the United States”?
I am skeptical, I suspect this is hopeful but deeper change will come/be needed. the center will not hold.
I am skeptical, I suspect this is hopeful but deeper change will come/be needed. the center will not hold.
At the @ipdcolumbia.bsky.social 25th Aniv Conf convened by @josephestiglitz.bsky.social there is so much brilliance. Favorite question so far: are the Intl Financial Institutions unreformable?
September 13, 2025 at 2:12 PM
At the @ipdcolumbia.bsky.social 25th Aniv Conf convened by @josephestiglitz.bsky.social there is so much brilliance. Favorite question so far: are the Intl Financial Institutions unreformable?
Standing room only for UNSR Dr T lecture at @gtownsoh.bsky.social @georgetownlaw.bsky.social “Pandemics and Politics: A Right to Health Perspective”
September 8, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Standing room only for UNSR Dr T lecture at @gtownsoh.bsky.social @georgetownlaw.bsky.social “Pandemics and Politics: A Right to Health Perspective”
Human rights are key to pandemic response, but today face major headwinds. Join me & @drtlaleng.bsky.social on Sept 8 for a discussion the right to health in the face of pandemics amidst today's geopolitics @georgetownlaw.bsky.social @gtownsoh.bsky.social
RSVP forms.gle/MVXjCUT58aka... #globalhealth
RSVP forms.gle/MVXjCUT58aka... #globalhealth
August 26, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Human rights are key to pandemic response, but today face major headwinds. Join me & @drtlaleng.bsky.social on Sept 8 for a discussion the right to health in the face of pandemics amidst today's geopolitics @georgetownlaw.bsky.social @gtownsoh.bsky.social
RSVP forms.gle/MVXjCUT58aka... #globalhealth
RSVP forms.gle/MVXjCUT58aka... #globalhealth
... and secrecy was among the most powerful tools that concentrated power. Again, cooperation between states can address this.
July 30, 2025 at 3:21 PM
... and secrecy was among the most powerful tools that concentrated power. Again, cooperation between states can address this.
... South African negotiators objected, labeled these unacceptable, but they ultimately remained in the contracts.
July 30, 2025 at 3:20 PM
... South African negotiators objected, labeled these unacceptable, but they ultimately remained in the contracts.
Among the most striking provisions in the vaccine contracts were those that required South Africa to make large, non-refundable, and up-font payments without committing the companies to delivery dates or volumes. These are *not* standard or good procurement practice...
July 30, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Among the most striking provisions in the vaccine contracts were those that required South Africa to make large, non-refundable, and up-font payments without committing the companies to delivery dates or volumes. These are *not* standard or good procurement practice...
...to explain why South Africa's access to vaccines was so much poorer than other countries. Look👇 it's only when vaccination in US and EU started dropping that enough doses were finally available for South Africa to scale up. Why?
July 30, 2025 at 3:19 PM
...to explain why South Africa's access to vaccines was so much poorer than other countries. Look👇 it's only when vaccination in US and EU started dropping that enough doses were finally available for South Africa to scale up. Why?
We analyzed the unredacted contracts and negotiation drafts secured by @hji-sa.bsky.social via litigation and looked at provisions in COVID-19 vax contracts agreed by South Africa as an example of the kinds of policy made via contract around the world...
July 30, 2025 at 3:19 PM
We analyzed the unredacted contracts and negotiation drafts secured by @hji-sa.bsky.social via litigation and looked at provisions in COVID-19 vax contracts agreed by South Africa as an example of the kinds of policy made via contract around the world...
7. change policy to reach all: A reason for low uptake of PrEP is policy. eligibility historically used to restrict access, not because it was good public health but b/c supplies were limited/expensive. We analyzed 112 countries over 8 years and showed policy remains a problem, that can change
July 21, 2025 at 1:57 PM
7. change policy to reach all: A reason for low uptake of PrEP is policy. eligibility historically used to restrict access, not because it was good public health but b/c supplies were limited/expensive. We analyzed 112 countries over 8 years and showed policy remains a problem, that can change