Thomas Piggott MD PhD
@twpiggott.bsky.social
Medical Officer of Health & CEO @phlakelands.bsky.social researcher @hei_mcmaster | dad, doctor, dreamer
Reposted by Thomas Piggott MD PhD
Very glad to be at the @who.int #EndTB summit in the @whoeurope.bsky.social in #Copenhagen!
The summit opens with Hans Kluge and Tereza Kasaeva.
"Ending TB is not a question of science, we have the science, it's a question of courage and political will."
#TheUnion2025
The summit opens with Hans Kluge and Tereza Kasaeva.
"Ending TB is not a question of science, we have the science, it's a question of courage and political will."
#TheUnion2025
November 17, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Very glad to be at the @who.int #EndTB summit in the @whoeurope.bsky.social in #Copenhagen!
The summit opens with Hans Kluge and Tereza Kasaeva.
"Ending TB is not a question of science, we have the science, it's a question of courage and political will."
#TheUnion2025
The summit opens with Hans Kluge and Tereza Kasaeva.
"Ending TB is not a question of science, we have the science, it's a question of courage and political will."
#TheUnion2025
Reposted by Thomas Piggott MD PhD
The MacArthur "Genius" Award-winner was best known as the founder of the Disability Visibility Project, which highlights disabled people and disability culture through storytelling projects, social media and other channels. n.pr/47WGe0m
Disability rights activist and author Alice Wong dies at 51
The MacArthur "Genius" Award-winner was best known as the founder of the Disability Visibility Project, which highlights disabled people and disability culture through storytelling projects, social media and other channels.
n.pr
November 16, 2025 at 4:41 AM
The MacArthur "Genius" Award-winner was best known as the founder of the Disability Visibility Project, which highlights disabled people and disability culture through storytelling projects, social media and other channels. n.pr/47WGe0m
Reposted by Thomas Piggott MD PhD
Kudos to the team at the fifth estate. We especially appreciate the accurate description of the origins of safe supply prescribing. Many other things to like about this piece. We need multiple accessible forms of safe supply.
#notalladdictionmedicinespecialists
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
#notalladdictionmedicinespecialists
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
They’re at risk of dying from opioid overdose. The government cut funding that could help them | CBC News
As deadly drug overdoses climbed across Canada, decision-makers faced political backlash for funding programs that gave drug users prescribed opioids and, against their own experts’ advice, scaled bac...
www.cbc.ca
November 15, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Kudos to the team at the fifth estate. We especially appreciate the accurate description of the origins of safe supply prescribing. Many other things to like about this piece. We need multiple accessible forms of safe supply.
#notalladdictionmedicinespecialists
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
#notalladdictionmedicinespecialists
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
It might be a good idea to build a tunnel (perpendicularly of course) under the 401.
Parts of Highway 401 span 18 lanes and for wildlife, that’s an almost impossible barrier. With thousands of animals killed every year, we urgently need safe wildlife crossings along the 401. 🌿🐾
Read our blog here:
ontarionature.org/wildlife-cro...
#401 #wildlifecrossings
Read our blog here:
ontarionature.org/wildlife-cro...
#401 #wildlifecrossings
November 16, 2025 at 1:28 AM
It might be a good idea to build a tunnel (perpendicularly of course) under the 401.
Reposted by Thomas Piggott MD PhD
Sir Frederick Banting wasn't just the co-discover of insulin.
He was the youngest recipient of the Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine, an accomplished artist, and a decorated war hero.
This is the story of one of the greatest Canadians.
🧵 1/12
He was the youngest recipient of the Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine, an accomplished artist, and a decorated war hero.
This is the story of one of the greatest Canadians.
🧵 1/12
November 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Sir Frederick Banting wasn't just the co-discover of insulin.
He was the youngest recipient of the Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine, an accomplished artist, and a decorated war hero.
This is the story of one of the greatest Canadians.
🧵 1/12
He was the youngest recipient of the Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine, an accomplished artist, and a decorated war hero.
This is the story of one of the greatest Canadians.
🧵 1/12
New
Lung cancer report - brought to you Imperial Tobacco.
Alcohol harms report - brought to you by Anheuser Busch.
Healthy built-environment pedestrian safety report - brought to you by the American Petroleum Institute.
Companies don’t regulate and report on their own harms. Governments do.
Lung cancer report - brought to you Imperial Tobacco.
Alcohol harms report - brought to you by Anheuser Busch.
Healthy built-environment pedestrian safety report - brought to you by the American Petroleum Institute.
Companies don’t regulate and report on their own harms. Governments do.
November 14, 2025 at 1:33 AM
New
Lung cancer report - brought to you Imperial Tobacco.
Alcohol harms report - brought to you by Anheuser Busch.
Healthy built-environment pedestrian safety report - brought to you by the American Petroleum Institute.
Companies don’t regulate and report on their own harms. Governments do.
Lung cancer report - brought to you Imperial Tobacco.
Alcohol harms report - brought to you by Anheuser Busch.
Healthy built-environment pedestrian safety report - brought to you by the American Petroleum Institute.
Companies don’t regulate and report on their own harms. Governments do.
Reposted by Thomas Piggott MD PhD
Increase in productivity since 1979: 87%
Increase in hourly pay since 1979: 32%
Just so happens that ~25% of workers were unionized in 1979. Today? 10%.
As unions declined, the super-rich have taken a larger share of wealth generated by labor. We must build back union power.
Increase in hourly pay since 1979: 32%
Just so happens that ~25% of workers were unionized in 1979. Today? 10%.
As unions declined, the super-rich have taken a larger share of wealth generated by labor. We must build back union power.
November 14, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Increase in productivity since 1979: 87%
Increase in hourly pay since 1979: 32%
Just so happens that ~25% of workers were unionized in 1979. Today? 10%.
As unions declined, the super-rich have taken a larger share of wealth generated by labor. We must build back union power.
Increase in hourly pay since 1979: 32%
Just so happens that ~25% of workers were unionized in 1979. Today? 10%.
As unions declined, the super-rich have taken a larger share of wealth generated by labor. We must build back union power.
There were once dreams of eradicating measles - I remember discussion on it in my MSc epi class.
The loss of progress on measles is not only a health loss for kids (measles can be disabling & deadly), it’s also a massive economic loss.
We save billions/yr not having to vaccinate & treat smallpox.
The loss of progress on measles is not only a health loss for kids (measles can be disabling & deadly), it’s also a massive economic loss.
We save billions/yr not having to vaccinate & treat smallpox.
November 13, 2025 at 12:45 AM
There were once dreams of eradicating measles - I remember discussion on it in my MSc epi class.
The loss of progress on measles is not only a health loss for kids (measles can be disabling & deadly), it’s also a massive economic loss.
We save billions/yr not having to vaccinate & treat smallpox.
The loss of progress on measles is not only a health loss for kids (measles can be disabling & deadly), it’s also a massive economic loss.
We save billions/yr not having to vaccinate & treat smallpox.
Once again, nothing to do with freedom (which I absolutely love and cherish), rather unwillingness to participate in society governed by norms and laws to keep a semblance of collective safety, order and health. Disappointing & would make WW2 vets who fought for actual freedom roll in their graves.
“What we saw, once again, were self-centred claims that public-health measures that protect the larger population somehow oppress individuals who essentially think that laws they don’t like don’t apply to them.”
The ostrich saga was for the birds. The decision to cull the big birds exposed to avian influenza was a good one and the histrionics unhelpful, by @picardonhealth.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... via @theglobeandmail.com #H5N1
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... via @theglobeandmail.com #H5N1
November 13, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Once again, nothing to do with freedom (which I absolutely love and cherish), rather unwillingness to participate in society governed by norms and laws to keep a semblance of collective safety, order and health. Disappointing & would make WW2 vets who fought for actual freedom roll in their graves.
“What we saw, once again, were self-centred claims that public-health measures that protect the larger population somehow oppress individuals who essentially think that laws they don’t like don’t apply to them.”
The ostrich saga was for the birds. The decision to cull the big birds exposed to avian influenza was a good one and the histrionics unhelpful, by @picardonhealth.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... via @theglobeandmail.com #H5N1
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... via @theglobeandmail.com #H5N1
Opinion: The ostrich saga was for the birds
Government’s decision to cull 300 birds in B.C. was for the public good
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:38 AM
“What we saw, once again, were self-centred claims that public-health measures that protect the larger population somehow oppress individuals who essentially think that laws they don’t like don’t apply to them.”
Reposted by Thomas Piggott MD PhD
On my way to COP30 and thought I’d reshare this piece wrought out of the anger I felt leaving COP29.
Here’s hoping we move the needle forward this year
Here’s hoping we move the needle forward this year
We need to treat fossil fuels like Big Tobacco
To reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and stem disinformation that blocks effective climate action, a comprehensive ban on advertising, promotion and sponsorship of fossil fuel products and indust...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:56 PM
On my way to COP30 and thought I’d reshare this piece wrought out of the anger I felt leaving COP29.
Here’s hoping we move the needle forward this year
Here’s hoping we move the needle forward this year
Reposted by Thomas Piggott MD PhD
BC gets rid of sick notes if you're off work for five or less days. Stay home when sick! The sick note was dumb to begin with and unecessarily forced sick people out of bed, into community and into doctor's offices. Sleep, rest and recover. news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
New rules on sick notes eliminate unnecessary paperwork
Effective immediately, new rules limit when employers can ask for sick notes and will allow more time for health-care providers to spend with patients.
news.gov.bc.ca
November 12, 2025 at 9:43 PM
BC gets rid of sick notes if you're off work for five or less days. Stay home when sick! The sick note was dumb to begin with and unecessarily forced sick people out of bed, into community and into doctor's offices. Sleep, rest and recover. news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
Reposted by Thomas Piggott MD PhD
Today is a good day to remember, and to say, that the #MeToo movement was right, and was righteous, and has been vindicated over and over again. There was no overreach. There was no excess. There was no they-went-too-far.
So much work remains to be done.
So much work remains to be done.
November 12, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Today is a good day to remember, and to say, that the #MeToo movement was right, and was righteous, and has been vindicated over and over again. There was no overreach. There was no excess. There was no they-went-too-far.
So much work remains to be done.
So much work remains to be done.
Reposted by Thomas Piggott MD PhD
Three decades of climate summits and the planet is still getting hotter. We know these meetings aren’t working well enough, but if you believe that means it’s pointless, you’re dead wrong. Better questions to ask are how to improve it and which complimentary tools can best help.
UN climate summits are an arena of politics worthy of your attention
Three decades of climate summits and the planet is still getting hotter. We know these meetings aren’t working well enough, but if you believe that means it’s pointless, I’m here to tell you you’re de...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Three decades of climate summits and the planet is still getting hotter. We know these meetings aren’t working well enough, but if you believe that means it’s pointless, you’re dead wrong. Better questions to ask are how to improve it and which complimentary tools can best help.
Lest We Forget their service and sacrifices so we could enjoy democracy and freedom over fascism and tyranny.
Given modern day threats to democracy and peace around the world, Remembering is more important than ever.
Given modern day threats to democracy and peace around the world, Remembering is more important than ever.
November 11, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Lest We Forget their service and sacrifices so we could enjoy democracy and freedom over fascism and tyranny.
Given modern day threats to democracy and peace around the world, Remembering is more important than ever.
Given modern day threats to democracy and peace around the world, Remembering is more important than ever.
Countries can no longer rely on US supply chains for the provision of essential medicines.
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/eco...
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/eco...
U.S. pushes drugmakers to reveal confidential details of contracts with Canada, other countries
Washington turning up pressure on manufacturers to lower U.S. drug prices and raise them elsewhere
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Countries can no longer rely on US supply chains for the provision of essential medicines.
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/eco...
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/eco...
My parents did an amazing job fostering a love of curiosity and science - Something I still deeply value and love and want for my kids to this day.
📸 science fair c Gr 4. Told my parents I wanted to study the staining effect of pop on teeth. They helped me shake down local dentists until I got 4 🦷
📸 science fair c Gr 4. Told my parents I wanted to study the staining effect of pop on teeth. They helped me shake down local dentists until I got 4 🦷
November 11, 2025 at 2:23 AM
My parents did an amazing job fostering a love of curiosity and science - Something I still deeply value and love and want for my kids to this day.
📸 science fair c Gr 4. Told my parents I wanted to study the staining effect of pop on teeth. They helped me shake down local dentists until I got 4 🦷
📸 science fair c Gr 4. Told my parents I wanted to study the staining effect of pop on teeth. They helped me shake down local dentists until I got 4 🦷
This is heartbreaking. We have 🇨🇦 seen deaths, and an uncontrolled outbreak, and now lost elimination status after nearly 3 decades having it and almost 6 decades of work to eliminate measles.
Measles is a deadly virus, and the vaccine to prevent it is safe and effective.
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
Measles is a deadly virus, and the vaccine to prevent it is safe and effective.
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
Canada loses measles elimination status, federal officials announce | CBC News
Canada has lost its measles elimination status, the Public Health Agency of Canada said on Monday.
www.cbc.ca
November 10, 2025 at 7:10 PM
This is heartbreaking. We have 🇨🇦 seen deaths, and an uncontrolled outbreak, and now lost elimination status after nearly 3 decades having it and almost 6 decades of work to eliminate measles.
Measles is a deadly virus, and the vaccine to prevent it is safe and effective.
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
Measles is a deadly virus, and the vaccine to prevent it is safe and effective.
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
Reposted by Thomas Piggott MD PhD
Reposted by Thomas Piggott MD PhD
#Ptbo city council awards $1.12 million low-barrier shelter contract to One City Peterborough. Less than five months after rejecting expanded drop-in program funding for One City's Trinity Community Centre, council has reversed course. kawarthanow.com/2025/11/03/p...
Peterborough city council awards $1.12 million low-barrier shelter contract to One City Peterborough | kawarthaNOW
By Bruce Head. Less than five months after rejecting expanded drop-in program funding for One City's Trinity Community Centre, council has reversed course.
kawarthanow.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:35 AM
#Ptbo city council awards $1.12 million low-barrier shelter contract to One City Peterborough. Less than five months after rejecting expanded drop-in program funding for One City's Trinity Community Centre, council has reversed course. kawarthanow.com/2025/11/03/p...
Reposted by Thomas Piggott MD PhD
Just look at the stats from the most recent #Tuberculosis in Canada report (released Oct 2025, but covering 2023).
It notes incidence of 5.5/100,000 & risk of not meeting Canada's 2030 commitment of >1/100,000.
Meanwhile among Inuit it's 204.2/100,000...
publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.9...
It notes incidence of 5.5/100,000 & risk of not meeting Canada's 2030 commitment of >1/100,000.
Meanwhile among Inuit it's 204.2/100,000...
publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.9...
November 2, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Just look at the stats from the most recent #Tuberculosis in Canada report (released Oct 2025, but covering 2023).
It notes incidence of 5.5/100,000 & risk of not meeting Canada's 2030 commitment of >1/100,000.
Meanwhile among Inuit it's 204.2/100,000...
publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.9...
It notes incidence of 5.5/100,000 & risk of not meeting Canada's 2030 commitment of >1/100,000.
Meanwhile among Inuit it's 204.2/100,000...
publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.9...
Reposted by Thomas Piggott MD PhD
Is Canada losing the battle against #measles? Country could soon lose elimination status. Q+A w/ @msmacrophage.bsky.social www.cbc.ca/listen/live-... via @cbcnews.ca #vaccination
November 2, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Is Canada losing the battle against #measles? Country could soon lose elimination status. Q+A w/ @msmacrophage.bsky.social www.cbc.ca/listen/live-... via @cbcnews.ca #vaccination
Never really thought I’d feel the morning after pride as a Blue Jays fan, but even with the hard loss feeling grateful to live in the safe and peaceful country that is 🇨🇦
Great work and run Blue Jays - your heart and effort made us proud!
Great work and run Blue Jays - your heart and effort made us proud!
LAPD on horses charge at and beat guests standing in line to the Short Stop in Echo Park. @shoton35mm.bsky.social
November 2, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Never really thought I’d feel the morning after pride as a Blue Jays fan, but even with the hard loss feeling grateful to live in the safe and peaceful country that is 🇨🇦
Great work and run Blue Jays - your heart and effort made us proud!
Great work and run Blue Jays - your heart and effort made us proud!