Timothy Caulfield
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caulfieldtim.bsky.social
Timothy Caulfield
@caulfieldtim.bsky.social
Professor of health law and science policy, author, speaker, and commentator. #ScienceUpFirst

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/caulfieldtim
Maddening more hasn't been done to stop this exploitive clinic that markets unproven BS.

American ALS patient died alone after paying $84K US in pursuit of healing at controversial Sask. facility www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Supplements to cure ALS? Feels criminal.
American ALS patient died alone after paying $84K US in pursuit of healing at controversial Sask. facility | CBC News
A 70-year-old American ALS patient came to Saskatchewan chasing the promise of healing offered by the Dr. Goodenowe Restorative Health Center in Moose Jaw, Sask. But former Goodenowe employees say tha...
www.cbc.ca
November 30, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Trust Dynamics and Equity in Public Health in Canada: www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e75199

"...consistent, transparent communication and equity-driven policies may contribute to maintaining public trust, particularly among marginalized communities."
Trust Dynamics and Equity in Public Health in Canada: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Project in the Postpandemic Era
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted trust in public health, medical care, scientific, and governmental institutions; this influenced health, health-seeking behaviors, and adherence to public he...
www.researchprotocols.org
November 29, 2025 at 4:37 PM
The Hazards of Certainty Manifest in Health Policy Today conscienhealth.org/2025/11/the-... by @conscienhealth.bsky.social

The harm that comes from RFK Jr's "campaign is already being felt. Children and vulnerable people will die."

"Outright falsehoods are dangerous and intolerable."

Yep.
The Hazards of Certainty Manifest in Health Policy Today - ConscienHealth
RFK Jr. is giving a live demonstration of the political advantages and the hazards that come with absolute certainty in health policy.
conscienhealth.org
November 29, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Surging measles cases could augur poorly for other diseases, @who.int says www.cbc.ca/news/health/...

What it will take for Canada to regain its measles elimination status?

"Better communication, building trust with undervaccinated communities & fighting misinformation."
Measles deaths fall globally but drop in vaccine coverage raises case counts: WHO | CBC News
Measles deaths dropped 88 per cent over 24 years thanks to global immunization efforts but the number of cases surged in 2024, the World Health Organization says.
www.cbc.ca
November 29, 2025 at 4:07 PM
AI: Confidently wrong?

AI Search Has a Citation Problem www.cjr.org/tow_center/w... via @cjr

Incorrect answers to > "60% of queries".

"...bad at declining to answer questions they couldn’t answer accurately..."

"Premium chatbots provided more confidently incorrect answers..."
AI Search Has a Citation Problem
We compared eight AI search engines. They’re all bad at citing news.
www.cjr.org
November 29, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Vague "new" evidence. ✅

Runs counter to a large & robust body of evidence exploring risks / benefits. ✅

Aligned with fearmongering antivaxx BS rhetoric. ✅

Very on-brand for MAGA / MAHA. ✅

FDA to impose strict new vaccine requirements, claiming child covid shot deaths wapo.st/49GmNLP
FDA to impose strict new vaccine requirements, claiming child covid shot deaths
Vinay Prasad, the nation’s top vaccine regulator, said his team concluded that coronavirus shots were linked to children’s deaths, necessitating a new approach.
wapo.st
November 29, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Reposted by Timothy Caulfield
Did you know that not all scientific evidence has the same weight?

The more the study relies on an expert's opinion, rather than many data points and peer-review, the higher the risk of bias.

🔺https://www.scienceupfirst.com/project/hierarchy-of-evidence/

#ScienceUpFirst
November 26, 2025 at 5:41 PM
I doubt this bonkers UCP resolution will actually become law, but it highlights the degree to which pseudoscience & conspiracy theories have been normalized... Stunning.
How consumed by off-the-rails anti-science antivaxx conspiracy theories is the Alberta UCP?

Check out Resolutions #20 for UCP AGM. 👇

- Stop mRNA vaccines use in AB?
- provide vaccine detoxing (read: embrace pseudoscience)?
- educate about "vaccine injuries"?

Dark Age 2.0.
November 28, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Covid inquiry: UK action was “too little, too late” & led to avoidable deaths, report finds www.bmj.com/content/391/...

"Delays in imposing measures to combat the SARS-CoV-2 virus were 'inexcusable'..."

Meantime, in US & Canada the emerging theme is too much was done (it wasn't).
www.bmj.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Hear, hear! So important...👇

Online harassment is silencing Canada’s health experts — institutions need to do more to protect them theconversation.com/online-haras... by (terrific colleagues) @heiditworek.bsky.social et al 🙏

In this age of harmful bunk, we MUST support informed voices!
Online harassment is silencing Canada’s health experts — institutions need to do more to protect them
If Canada wants to get ahead of the next health crisis, it needs to shield its scientists and researchers from online abuse.
theconversation.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The price of polarization? The price of rage politics?

"Republicans shortened their visits to Democratic hosts by about 50 to 70 minutes..

Democrats by 20 to 40 minutes.
November 28, 2025 at 3:10 PM
How consumed by off-the-rails anti-science antivaxx conspiracy theories is the Alberta UCP?

Check out Resolutions #20 for UCP AGM. 👇

- Stop mRNA vaccines use in AB?
- provide vaccine detoxing (read: embrace pseudoscience)?
- educate about "vaccine injuries"?

Dark Age 2.0.
November 28, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Important point: this ISN'T about willpower. It is about our food environment. 👇

The ultra-processed foods problem is driven by commercial interests, not individual weakness. Here’s how to fix it theconversation.com/the-ultra-pr... by @philbakernz.bsky.social et al.
The ultra-processed foods problem is driven by commercial interests, not individual weakness. Here’s how to fix it
Without policy action and a coordinated global response, ultra-processed foods will continue to rise in human diets, harming health, economies. It’s time to act.
theconversation.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Kennedy sharpens vaccine attacks, without scientific backing medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11... by @celinegounder.com

"...part of a broader strategy to foster uncertainty about vaccine safety..."

"The whole RFK Jr. assessment is really prone to cherry-picking."
Kennedy sharpens vaccine attacks, without scientific backing
As the federal government prepares for the next meeting of its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has intensified his attacks on al...
medicalxpress.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Polarization isn't new. But the degree to which it is fuelled by rage is increasing...

Is political polarisation cutting Thanksgiving dinners short? www.economist.com/democracy-in...

Studies show that "...partisan animus may also be cutting family gatherings short."
Is political polarisation cutting Thanksgiving dinners short?
Research suggests that if families avoid talking about politics, they talk less
www.economist.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:05 PM
So many food myths.

Sugar makes kids hyper? Nope.

You need 8 glasses of water a day? Nope.

Turkey makes you sleepy? Nope.

No, the Tryptophan in Turkey Won’t Make You Sleepy www.nytimes.com/2015/11/26/s...
No, the Tryptophan in Turkey Won’t Make You Sleepy (Published 2015)
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Again, NO evidence immigration = more crime!

On the contrary.

Yes, immigration is a complex issue. But any policy based on a fearmongering crime narrative (usually using dramatic anecdotes) should be questioned.

For eg: siepr.stanford.edu/news/mythica...
The mythical tie between immigration and crime
Research by Stanford’s Ran Abramitzky and co-authors uncovers the most extensive evidence to date that immigrants are less likely to be imprisoned than U.S.-born individuals.
siepr.stanford.edu
November 27, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Toronto’s Supervised Consumption Sites & Local Crime jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...

"...associated with neutral to positive improvements in local crime trends."

"...assaults, robberies, thefts over $5000, bicycle thefts, and thefts from motor vehicles also decreased."
Toronto’s Supervised Consumption Sites and Local Crime
This ecological cohort study evaluates the association between overdose prevention sites and supervised consumption sites and local crime and disorder in Toronto.
jamanetwork.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:40 PM
‘Mental Model’ Approach to Countering Vaccine Bunk www.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/mental-model...

Key: "....exposing people to visual, verbal, or animated models" about "scientific concepts so that they either have the tools in place to identify misconceptions before encountering them..."
‘Mental Model’ Approach Shows Promise in Reducing Susceptibility to Misconceptions About mRNA Vaccination | The Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Showing people a "mental model" of scientific concepts may help undercut vaccine-related misconceptions, according to APPC research.
www.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org
November 26, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Every single day it become clearer...

Antivaxx misinformation & hesitancy is mostly about political identity.

A "My Team" flag that is doing incredible harm.

My take: www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... via @TorontoStar
On measles and vaccines, Canada can’t keep ignoring the elephant in the room
Study after study has shown that political affiliation is one of the single strongest predictors of vaccination status.
www.thestar.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:05 PM
The price of fame? Mortality risk among famous singers jech.bmj.com/content/earl...

"...famous singers had a 33% higher mortality risk compared with less famous singers."

"...fame may be associated with increased mortality risk among musicians, beyond occupational factors."
November 26, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Researchers say fitter bodies keep brains younger www.upi.com/Health_News/... via @washumedicine.bsky.social

"Healthier bodies with more muscle mass and less hidden belly fat are more likely to have healthier, youthful brains."

#Move!
Researchers say fitter bodies keep brains younger - UPI.com
Healthier bodies with more muscle mass and less hidden belly fat are more likely to have healthier, youthful brains, researchers said in a new study.
www.upi.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Why constantly checking your phone can drain your focus & memory wapo.st/48BueTp

"Glancing at your phone can begin to compromise your cognitive skills..."

Strong "predictor of daily cognitive failures."

"8 out of 10 said they keep them in their bedrooms..." (Don't do this!)
Why constantly checking your phone can drain your focus and memory
Checking your phone 110 times a day could signal problematic use. See how smartphone habits shape daily life.
wapo.st
November 26, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Information control on YouTube during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/info... via @misinforeview.bsky.social

"...activity on banned channels dropped sharply to near zero..."

But "increased engagement on other (non-blocked) pro-Kremlin channels..."
Information control on YouTube during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine | HKS Misinformation Review
This research note investigates the aftermath of YouTube's global ban on Russian state-affiliated media channels in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Using over 12 million Y...
misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu
November 26, 2025 at 3:38 PM
What Canada’s new supplement labels still won’t tell you canadahealthwatch.ca/2025/11/21/w... via @canadahealthwatch.ca

Me: "The marketing of supplements has also become … one of the primary ways that the health misinformation ecosystem is funded."

🚩 Increasingly supplements = red flag for bunk.🚩
What Canada’s new supplement labels still won’t tell you
The new rules don’t address the biggest gap of all.
canadahealthwatch.ca
November 26, 2025 at 3:09 PM