Jack Birch
@jackmbirch.bsky.social
Research Associate @nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social at Newcastle Uni. PhD from @mrcepid.bsky.social, University of Cambridge. Public health nerd, korfball fanatic, ⚽ referee. All views my own
Pinned
Jack Birch
@jackmbirch.bsky.social
· Aug 8
Are there inequalities in the attendance at and effectiveness of behavioural weight management interventions for adults in the UK? An individual participant data meta-analysis
Objectives Interventions for obesity that require individual behaviour change, such as behavioural weight management interventions, may contribute to health inequalities. We explored if there was evid...
bmjpublichealth.bmj.com
Very happy to see a big paper from my PhD *OUT TODAY*
We explored if there were inequalities in the attendance & effectiveness of behavioural weight management interventions in an individual participant data meta-analysis.
See the thread for findings 👇
bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/3/2/...
We explored if there were inequalities in the attendance & effectiveness of behavioural weight management interventions in an individual participant data meta-analysis.
See the thread for findings 👇
bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/3/2/...
Reposted by Jack Birch
Our researchers Dr Fiona Graham and Dr @laurajmcgowan.bsky.social were at Evidence Week 2025 in Parliament last week, organised by @senseaboutsci.bsky.social.
They discussed our work on virtual words in the NHS with MPs - read more about it here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
They discussed our work on virtual words in the NHS with MPs - read more about it here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
The National Institute for Health and Care Research Policy Research Unit in Behavioural and Social Sciences among world-class researchers, briefing MPs and parliamentary staff on the latest evidence… ...
The National Institute for Health and Care Research Policy Research Unit in Behavioural and Social Sciences among world-class researchers, briefing MPs and parliamentary staff on the latest evidence n...
www.linkedin.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Our researchers Dr Fiona Graham and Dr @laurajmcgowan.bsky.social were at Evidence Week 2025 in Parliament last week, organised by @senseaboutsci.bsky.social.
They discussed our work on virtual words in the NHS with MPs - read more about it here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
They discussed our work on virtual words in the NHS with MPs - read more about it here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Reposted by Jack Birch
We wrote an article explaining why you shouldn't put several variables into a regression model and report which are statistically significant - even as exploratory research. bmjmedicine.bmj.com/content/4/1/.... How did we do?
October 27, 2025 at 5:39 PM
We wrote an article explaining why you shouldn't put several variables into a regression model and report which are statistically significant - even as exploratory research. bmjmedicine.bmj.com/content/4/1/.... How did we do?
Reposted by Jack Birch
Lauren Bandy and I got a short piece in BMJ arguing that the proposed changes to UK sugar drink tax target the wrong end of the market. Changing the threshold where tax is applied from 5g sugar/100mL to 4g only hurts those that have ALREADY reformulated and changes nothing for high sugar drinks.
Changes to UK soft drinks tax are a missed opportunity for public health
The government’s decision not to introduce a higher rate tax for the most sugary drinks is good news for industry but not for public health, argue Lauren Bandy and Peter Scarborough
In the 2024 autu...
www.bmj.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Lauren Bandy and I got a short piece in BMJ arguing that the proposed changes to UK sugar drink tax target the wrong end of the market. Changing the threshold where tax is applied from 5g sugar/100mL to 4g only hurts those that have ALREADY reformulated and changes nothing for high sugar drinks.
Reposted by Jack Birch
Earlier this month, all our researchers & co-investigators got together at the University of Bedfordshire in Luton.
We discussed topics such as engaging youth in research, public involvement, and ensuring meaningful impact.
Read more here: www.linkedin.com/posts/nihr-p...
We discussed topics such as engaging youth in research, public involvement, and ensuring meaningful impact.
Read more here: www.linkedin.com/posts/nihr-p...
At the beginning of October, all our researchers and co-investigators from across the NIHR Policy Research Unit Behavioural and Social Sciences got together at the University of Bedfordshire in Luton…...
At the beginning of October, all our researchers and co-investigators from across the NIHR Policy Research Unit Behavioural and Social Sciences got together at the University of Bedfordshire in Luton ...
www.linkedin.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Earlier this month, all our researchers & co-investigators got together at the University of Bedfordshire in Luton.
We discussed topics such as engaging youth in research, public involvement, and ensuring meaningful impact.
Read more here: www.linkedin.com/posts/nihr-p...
We discussed topics such as engaging youth in research, public involvement, and ensuring meaningful impact.
Read more here: www.linkedin.com/posts/nihr-p...
To have this as the policy for a mental health service is *wild*. If someone does not attend a mental health assessment appointment, they're probably worse not better...
October 6, 2025 at 4:05 PM
To have this as the policy for a mental health service is *wild*. If someone does not attend a mental health assessment appointment, they're probably worse not better...
Reposted by Jack Birch
We're are now accepting applications for an exciting DPhil at the @oxprimarycare.bsky.social, *FUNDED* by the THRIVING Food Futures research hub!
The project is about divisive policies, supervised by me, Dr Rachel Pechey @petescarbs.bsky.social @ashakaur.bsky.social
lnkd.in/eezGaZZ3
Pls share! ✨
The project is about divisive policies, supervised by me, Dr Rachel Pechey @petescarbs.bsky.social @ashakaur.bsky.social
lnkd.in/eezGaZZ3
Pls share! ✨
Crowd-pleasers or food fights? Exploring UK public support and objection to divisive policies that aim to reduce the environmental harm caused by the food system
www.phc.ox.ac.uk
September 22, 2025 at 8:34 AM
We're are now accepting applications for an exciting DPhil at the @oxprimarycare.bsky.social, *FUNDED* by the THRIVING Food Futures research hub!
The project is about divisive policies, supervised by me, Dr Rachel Pechey @petescarbs.bsky.social @ashakaur.bsky.social
lnkd.in/eezGaZZ3
Pls share! ✨
The project is about divisive policies, supervised by me, Dr Rachel Pechey @petescarbs.bsky.social @ashakaur.bsky.social
lnkd.in/eezGaZZ3
Pls share! ✨
Just back from attending another excellent @socsocmed.bsky.social conference #SSM2025
It was great catching up with old and new friends that I've made over my time in academia to date. I was happy to share our @nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social research on populism and public health interventions.
It was great catching up with old and new friends that I've made over my time in academia to date. I was happy to share our @nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social research on populism and public health interventions.
September 12, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Just back from attending another excellent @socsocmed.bsky.social conference #SSM2025
It was great catching up with old and new friends that I've made over my time in academia to date. I was happy to share our @nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social research on populism and public health interventions.
It was great catching up with old and new friends that I've made over my time in academia to date. I was happy to share our @nihr-pru-bass.bsky.social research on populism and public health interventions.
Reposted by Jack Birch
Less inequality = fewer problems
@profkepickett.bsky.social lays our her vision for a good society at #SSM2025
@socsocmed.bsky.social
@profkepickett.bsky.social lays our her vision for a good society at #SSM2025
@socsocmed.bsky.social
September 12, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Less inequality = fewer problems
@profkepickett.bsky.social lays our her vision for a good society at #SSM2025
@socsocmed.bsky.social
@profkepickett.bsky.social lays our her vision for a good society at #SSM2025
@socsocmed.bsky.social
It was great to present our review of interview studies looking at populism and how people receive public health interventions @socsocmed.bsky.social #SSM2025 yesterday!
Looking forward to two more days of exciting talks 🤓
Looking forward to two more days of exciting talks 🤓
September 11, 2025 at 8:27 AM
It was great to present our review of interview studies looking at populism and how people receive public health interventions @socsocmed.bsky.social #SSM2025 yesterday!
Looking forward to two more days of exciting talks 🤓
Looking forward to two more days of exciting talks 🤓
#SSM2025 Early Career Researcher day! Follow this thread to see updates (I'm doing the updates, so look forward to inevitable typos)
Let us know if you're coming to the #SSM2025 Early Career Researcher day!
We get started at 09:30 with a packed schedule of sessions from considering how to best include the public in research, the role of qualitative methods in health research, to presenting research in the media.
See you soon!
We get started at 09:30 with a packed schedule of sessions from considering how to best include the public in research, the role of qualitative methods in health research, to presenting research in the media.
See you soon!
September 9, 2025 at 9:48 AM
#SSM2025 Early Career Researcher day! Follow this thread to see updates (I'm doing the updates, so look forward to inevitable typos)
Super interesting thread from @amckinlay.bsky.social on how trust relates to public health, and how this links to our recent work looking at how populism affects the acceptability of public health interventions
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Trust (or lack of it) shapes how people respond to public health.
In our latest review in Social Science & Medicine, we found that distrust of “elites”(aka politicians, scientists, health professionals) doesn’t just affect individual choices.
In our latest review in Social Science & Medicine, we found that distrust of “elites”(aka politicians, scientists, health professionals) doesn’t just affect individual choices.
September 2, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Super interesting thread from @amckinlay.bsky.social on how trust relates to public health, and how this links to our recent work looking at how populism affects the acceptability of public health interventions
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⬇️
Reposted by Jack Birch
Thank you @jackmbirch.bsky.social for summarising your experiences at our recent #DigitalHealthDivide2025 workshop at @univie.ac.at!
Our researcher @jackmbirch.bsky.social recently attended a workshop on the digital health divide at the University of Vienna @univie.ac.at.
Read about how they considered how research practice can be improved when considering the digital health divide ⬇️
behscipru.nihr.ac.uk/3207-2/
Read about how they considered how research practice can be improved when considering the digital health divide ⬇️
behscipru.nihr.ac.uk/3207-2/
Considering the digital health divide - NIHR PRU Behavioural and Social Sciences
One of our Newcastle-based researchers, Dr Jack Birch, recently attended a workshop on the ‘digital health divide’ at the University of Vienna. “The digital health divide is how digital interventions ...
behscipru.nihr.ac.uk
August 19, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Thank you @jackmbirch.bsky.social for summarising your experiences at our recent #DigitalHealthDivide2025 workshop at @univie.ac.at!
Reposted by Jack Birch
After all the bollocks of claiming (wrongly) that the UK has two tier justice system, Farage is planning exactly that.
August 27, 2025 at 9:37 AM
After all the bollocks of claiming (wrongly) that the UK has two tier justice system, Farage is planning exactly that.
Reposted by Jack Birch
A really nice example on how to visually communicate the text contents of a paper on mobile phones
A must-read, must-share piece - clearly deconstructing the shoddy science of the Geiers (who are inexplicably in charge of studies at HHS).
Consider this an early warning for what lies ahead. 🛟🩺🧪
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Consider this an early warning for what lies ahead. 🛟🩺🧪
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Opinion | The Playbook Used to ‘Prove’ Vaccines Cause Autism (Gift Article)
Data can easily be manipulated to show a causation that doesn’t exist.
www.nytimes.com
August 19, 2025 at 2:07 PM
A really nice example on how to visually communicate the text contents of a paper on mobile phones
Reposted by Jack Birch
Our researcher @jackmbirch.bsky.social recently attended a workshop on the digital health divide at the University of Vienna @univie.ac.at.
Read about how they considered how research practice can be improved when considering the digital health divide ⬇️
behscipru.nihr.ac.uk/3207-2/
Read about how they considered how research practice can be improved when considering the digital health divide ⬇️
behscipru.nihr.ac.uk/3207-2/
Considering the digital health divide - NIHR PRU Behavioural and Social Sciences
One of our Newcastle-based researchers, Dr Jack Birch, recently attended a workshop on the ‘digital health divide’ at the University of Vienna. “The digital health divide is how digital interventions ...
behscipru.nihr.ac.uk
August 19, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Our researcher @jackmbirch.bsky.social recently attended a workshop on the digital health divide at the University of Vienna @univie.ac.at.
Read about how they considered how research practice can be improved when considering the digital health divide ⬇️
behscipru.nihr.ac.uk/3207-2/
Read about how they considered how research practice can be improved when considering the digital health divide ⬇️
behscipru.nihr.ac.uk/3207-2/
Reposted by Jack Birch
Very happy to see a big paper from my PhD *OUT TODAY*
We explored if there were inequalities in the attendance & effectiveness of behavioural weight management interventions in an individual participant data meta-analysis.
See the thread for findings 👇
bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/3/2/...
We explored if there were inequalities in the attendance & effectiveness of behavioural weight management interventions in an individual participant data meta-analysis.
See the thread for findings 👇
bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/3/2/...
Are there inequalities in the attendance at and effectiveness of behavioural weight management interventions for adults in the UK? An individual participant data meta-analysis
Objectives Interventions for obesity that require individual behaviour change, such as behavioural weight management interventions, may contribute to health inequalities. We explored if there was evid...
bmjpublichealth.bmj.com
August 8, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Very happy to see a big paper from my PhD *OUT TODAY*
We explored if there were inequalities in the attendance & effectiveness of behavioural weight management interventions in an individual participant data meta-analysis.
See the thread for findings 👇
bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/3/2/...
We explored if there were inequalities in the attendance & effectiveness of behavioural weight management interventions in an individual participant data meta-analysis.
See the thread for findings 👇
bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/3/2/...
Reposted by Jack Birch
Want to help improve mental health in academia? We are looking for bloggers for our November and December slots.
You can submit a pitch here and learn more about the process: voicesofacademia.com/contact-2/
You can submit a pitch here and learn more about the process: voicesofacademia.com/contact-2/
August 13, 2025 at 5:46 AM
Want to help improve mental health in academia? We are looking for bloggers for our November and December slots.
You can submit a pitch here and learn more about the process: voicesofacademia.com/contact-2/
You can submit a pitch here and learn more about the process: voicesofacademia.com/contact-2/
Reposted by Jack Birch
AI replicates, magnifies and perpetuates the biases already active in our health system and society www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
AI tools used by English councils downplay women’s health issues, study finds
Exclusive: LSE research finds risk of gender bias in care decisions made based on AI summaries of case notes
www.theguardian.com
August 11, 2025 at 5:42 AM
AI replicates, magnifies and perpetuates the biases already active in our health system and society www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Very happy to see a big paper from my PhD *OUT TODAY*
We explored if there were inequalities in the attendance & effectiveness of behavioural weight management interventions in an individual participant data meta-analysis.
See the thread for findings 👇
bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/3/2/...
We explored if there were inequalities in the attendance & effectiveness of behavioural weight management interventions in an individual participant data meta-analysis.
See the thread for findings 👇
bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/3/2/...
Are there inequalities in the attendance at and effectiveness of behavioural weight management interventions for adults in the UK? An individual participant data meta-analysis
Objectives Interventions for obesity that require individual behaviour change, such as behavioural weight management interventions, may contribute to health inequalities. We explored if there was evid...
bmjpublichealth.bmj.com
August 8, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Very happy to see a big paper from my PhD *OUT TODAY*
We explored if there were inequalities in the attendance & effectiveness of behavioural weight management interventions in an individual participant data meta-analysis.
See the thread for findings 👇
bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/3/2/...
We explored if there were inequalities in the attendance & effectiveness of behavioural weight management interventions in an individual participant data meta-analysis.
See the thread for findings 👇
bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/3/2/...
Just back from a very interesting (and intellectually stimulating!) couple of days in Vienna.
I attended a workshop on improving research practice to understand and address the digital health divide, hosted by Prof @lauramkoenig.bsky.social and colleagues at the University of Vienna.
I attended a workshop on improving research practice to understand and address the digital health divide, hosted by Prof @lauramkoenig.bsky.social and colleagues at the University of Vienna.
August 6, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Just back from a very interesting (and intellectually stimulating!) couple of days in Vienna.
I attended a workshop on improving research practice to understand and address the digital health divide, hosted by Prof @lauramkoenig.bsky.social and colleagues at the University of Vienna.
I attended a workshop on improving research practice to understand and address the digital health divide, hosted by Prof @lauramkoenig.bsky.social and colleagues at the University of Vienna.
Reposted by Jack Birch
As part of our OptICS project, we’re hosting an online stakeholder workshop on the 6th of October!
If you work in integrated care, be it service delivery, management or commissioning, join us to explore how behavioural and social science can support the sector.
🎟️ Sign up here: shorturl.at/LtFZA
If you work in integrated care, be it service delivery, management or commissioning, join us to explore how behavioural and social science can support the sector.
🎟️ Sign up here: shorturl.at/LtFZA
Optimising Integrated Care Services (OptICS)- Online Stakeholder workshop
Do you want to help develop the future direction of integrated care? Reserve a spot to secure your workshop space.
shorturl.at
August 5, 2025 at 8:45 AM
As part of our OptICS project, we’re hosting an online stakeholder workshop on the 6th of October!
If you work in integrated care, be it service delivery, management or commissioning, join us to explore how behavioural and social science can support the sector.
🎟️ Sign up here: shorturl.at/LtFZA
If you work in integrated care, be it service delivery, management or commissioning, join us to explore how behavioural and social science can support the sector.
🎟️ Sign up here: shorturl.at/LtFZA
Reposted by Jack Birch
In the 2025 edition of @uclpophealthsci.bsky.social, our researchers @amckinlay.bsky.social and @jackmbirch.bsky.social discuss the enduring challenge of health inequalities, and link to our work discussing populism and the acceptability of public health interventions.
Check it out below!
Check it out below!
🚨The 2025 edition of the UCL Population Health Sciences Magazine is now live!
Created by students and shaped in partnership with staff, alumni, and contributors across our community, this year’s publication explores one central theme: Growth.
🔗 Read now: www.ucl.ac.uk/population-h...
Created by students and shaped in partnership with staff, alumni, and contributors across our community, this year’s publication explores one central theme: Growth.
🔗 Read now: www.ucl.ac.uk/population-h...
July 31, 2025 at 8:50 AM
In the 2025 edition of @uclpophealthsci.bsky.social, our researchers @amckinlay.bsky.social and @jackmbirch.bsky.social discuss the enduring challenge of health inequalities, and link to our work discussing populism and the acceptability of public health interventions.
Check it out below!
Check it out below!
Reposted by Jack Birch
Earlier this month, the govt published the 10yr health plan. A 'moonshot to end the obesity epidemic' was launched. 🚀
BUT.. what do the public actually think about this?
We did some work (pre 10 year plan announcement) with @moreincommonuk.bsky.social on this.
More below 👇 🧵1/6
BUT.. what do the public actually think about this?
We did some work (pre 10 year plan announcement) with @moreincommonuk.bsky.social on this.
More below 👇 🧵1/6
July 17, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Earlier this month, the govt published the 10yr health plan. A 'moonshot to end the obesity epidemic' was launched. 🚀
BUT.. what do the public actually think about this?
We did some work (pre 10 year plan announcement) with @moreincommonuk.bsky.social on this.
More below 👇 🧵1/6
BUT.. what do the public actually think about this?
We did some work (pre 10 year plan announcement) with @moreincommonuk.bsky.social on this.
More below 👇 🧵1/6
I've just written 'psychling' when I mean 'cycling'...what that says about my current energy levels, I'm not sure
July 16, 2025 at 3:26 PM
I've just written 'psychling' when I mean 'cycling'...what that says about my current energy levels, I'm not sure
Reposted by Jack Birch
great thread on genetic risk scoring
July 10, 2025 at 11:20 AM
great thread on genetic risk scoring