Simon Bacon
@sbacon20.bsky.social
FRQS co-Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health for Health Behaviour Change. Concordia University & CIUSSS-NIM, Canada. #behaviouralscience #behavioralscience.
Reposted by Simon Bacon
How Did a Heart Drug With So Much Promise Fall So Flat?
Cardiologists are struggling to figure out why a drug that should have prevented heart attacks by lowering Lp(a) levels didn’t work at all, by Gina Kolata www.nytimes.com/2026/09/11/s... via @nytimes.com
Cardiologists are struggling to figure out why a drug that should have prevented heart attacks by lowering Lp(a) levels didn’t work at all, by Gina Kolata www.nytimes.com/2026/09/11/s... via @nytimes.com
How Did a Heart Drug With So Much Promise Fall So Flat?
Cardiologists are struggling to figure out why a drug that should have prevented heart attacks didn’t work at all.
www.nytimes.com
September 12, 2026 at 12:16 AM
How Did a Heart Drug With So Much Promise Fall So Flat?
Cardiologists are struggling to figure out why a drug that should have prevented heart attacks by lowering Lp(a) levels didn’t work at all, by Gina Kolata www.nytimes.com/2026/09/11/s... via @nytimes.com
Cardiologists are struggling to figure out why a drug that should have prevented heart attacks by lowering Lp(a) levels didn’t work at all, by Gina Kolata www.nytimes.com/2026/09/11/s... via @nytimes.com
Reposted by Simon Bacon
This week a study suggesting that very hot drinks can triple the risk of oesophageal cancer gained much attention in the media.
But how strong is the link, and should doctors be advising patients to avoid piping hot tea and coffee?
But how strong is the link, and should doctors be advising patients to avoid piping hot tea and coffee?
Hot drinks and oesophageal cancer: the facts behind the headlines
This week a study suggesting that very hot drinks can triple the risk of oesophageal cancer gained much attention in the media.1
But how strong is the link, and should doctors be advising patients to...
www.bmj.com
September 11, 2026 at 6:15 PM
This week a study suggesting that very hot drinks can triple the risk of oesophageal cancer gained much attention in the media.
But how strong is the link, and should doctors be advising patients to avoid piping hot tea and coffee?
But how strong is the link, and should doctors be advising patients to avoid piping hot tea and coffee?
Reposted by Simon Bacon
The Coronary Artery Inflammation Controversy: Two large pivotal clinical trials failed to reduce heart attacks. Why? by @erictopol.bsky.social erictopol.substack.com/p/the-corona...
September 12, 2026 at 3:57 PM
The Coronary Artery Inflammation Controversy: Two large pivotal clinical trials failed to reduce heart attacks. Why? by @erictopol.bsky.social erictopol.substack.com/p/the-corona...
Reposted by Simon Bacon
Est-que Chantal Hébert a-t-elle déjà pensé faire le saut en politique? Elle en a long à dire à Patrice Roy, lors de son passage au balado « Hors des ondes ». ici.radio-canada.ca/en-bref/1-10... via @radiocanada.bsky.social @chebert18.bsky.social @patriceroy.bsky.social #journalisme
Faire le saut en politique?
Est-que Chantal Hébert a-t-elle déjà pensé faire le saut en politique? Elle en a long à dire à Patrice Roy, lors de son passage au balado « Hors des ondes ».
ici.radio-canada.ca
September 7, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Est-que Chantal Hébert a-t-elle déjà pensé faire le saut en politique? Elle en a long à dire à Patrice Roy, lors de son passage au balado « Hors des ondes ». ici.radio-canada.ca/en-bref/1-10... via @radiocanada.bsky.social @chebert18.bsky.social @patriceroy.bsky.social #journalisme
Reposted by Simon Bacon
Study: Generative AI succumbs to conversational misinformed pressure and argument news.arizona.edu/news/study-g...
"This underscores the need for careful human engagement and the danger of blind reliance."
"This underscores the need for careful human engagement and the danger of blind reliance."
Study: Generative AI succumbs to conversational misinformed pressure and argument
U of A research assessed seven different generative AI language learning models. Their work reveals intrinsic limitations that might go undetected during one-off interactions.
news.arizona.edu
September 7, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Study: Generative AI succumbs to conversational misinformed pressure and argument news.arizona.edu/news/study-g...
"This underscores the need for careful human engagement and the danger of blind reliance."
"This underscores the need for careful human engagement and the danger of blind reliance."
Reposted by Simon Bacon
Our Scientific Committee has been busy shaping plans for the 2026 Behaviour Change Conference! 🎉
💡 Don't forget the call for abstracts is open until 15 December
👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/behaviour-ch...
👏 Thanks to Co-Chairs Marta Marques & Felix Naughton & all Committee members for their expertise
💡 Don't forget the call for abstracts is open until 15 December
👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/behaviour-ch...
👏 Thanks to Co-Chairs Marta Marques & Felix Naughton & all Committee members for their expertise
November 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Our Scientific Committee has been busy shaping plans for the 2026 Behaviour Change Conference! 🎉
💡 Don't forget the call for abstracts is open until 15 December
👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/behaviour-ch...
👏 Thanks to Co-Chairs Marta Marques & Felix Naughton & all Committee members for their expertise
💡 Don't forget the call for abstracts is open until 15 December
👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/behaviour-ch...
👏 Thanks to Co-Chairs Marta Marques & Felix Naughton & all Committee members for their expertise
Reposted by Simon Bacon
"Systems are not things. They consist of people." @sbacon20.bsky.social making an important point about the relevance of behavioural theory to public health! #EPH2025
November 12, 2025 at 9:08 AM
"Systems are not things. They consist of people." @sbacon20.bsky.social making an important point about the relevance of behavioural theory to public health! #EPH2025
Reposted by Simon Bacon
There are lots of barriers within public health that prevents researchers from using behavioural science theories and tools, including lack of knowledge, time/ resources, and support from superiors, says Kim Lavoie #EPH2025
November 12, 2025 at 9:21 AM
There are lots of barriers within public health that prevents researchers from using behavioural science theories and tools, including lack of knowledge, time/ resources, and support from superiors, says Kim Lavoie #EPH2025
Reposted by Simon Bacon
📢 New paper alert!
Our article on specifying delivery schedules in the Behaviour Change Intervention Ontology supports greater clarity and consistency in intervention reporting.
Now with over 200 views 👏
Read it here 👉 wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/9-7...
Our article on specifying delivery schedules in the Behaviour Change Intervention Ontology supports greater clarity and consistency in intervention reporting.
Now with over 200 views 👏
Read it here 👉 wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/9-7...
wellcomeopenresearch.org
October 29, 2025 at 6:26 PM
📢 New paper alert!
Our article on specifying delivery schedules in the Behaviour Change Intervention Ontology supports greater clarity and consistency in intervention reporting.
Now with over 200 views 👏
Read it here 👉 wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/9-7...
Our article on specifying delivery schedules in the Behaviour Change Intervention Ontology supports greater clarity and consistency in intervention reporting.
Now with over 200 views 👏
Read it here 👉 wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/9-7...
Reposted by Simon Bacon
Online health #misinformation almost the norm!
Watch for red flags, like use of anecdotes, "secret knowledge" BS, & "scienceploitation" (sciencey word salads!). 🚩
What to believe and what not about health information on your phone: www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/art...
Watch for red flags, like use of anecdotes, "secret knowledge" BS, & "scienceploitation" (sciencey word salads!). 🚩
What to believe and what not about health information on your phone: www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/art...
October 28, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Online health #misinformation almost the norm!
Watch for red flags, like use of anecdotes, "secret knowledge" BS, & "scienceploitation" (sciencey word salads!). 🚩
What to believe and what not about health information on your phone: www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/art...
Watch for red flags, like use of anecdotes, "secret knowledge" BS, & "scienceploitation" (sciencey word salads!). 🚩
What to believe and what not about health information on your phone: www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/art...
Reposted by Simon Bacon
🧠 This week’s research highlight: Would you share your health data to receive personalised advice?
Senior Research Fellow @viviantonop.bsky.social co-authored a study on privacy concerns & trust in personalised health apps with 2000 people in London & Hong Kong.
👉 www.cambridge.org/core/blog/20...
Senior Research Fellow @viviantonop.bsky.social co-authored a study on privacy concerns & trust in personalised health apps with 2000 people in London & Hong Kong.
👉 www.cambridge.org/core/blog/20...
October 29, 2025 at 9:01 AM
🧠 This week’s research highlight: Would you share your health data to receive personalised advice?
Senior Research Fellow @viviantonop.bsky.social co-authored a study on privacy concerns & trust in personalised health apps with 2000 people in London & Hong Kong.
👉 www.cambridge.org/core/blog/20...
Senior Research Fellow @viviantonop.bsky.social co-authored a study on privacy concerns & trust in personalised health apps with 2000 people in London & Hong Kong.
👉 www.cambridge.org/core/blog/20...
Reposted by Simon Bacon
The sugar intake of children in the UK is more than double the recommended maximum amount.
The UK government’s decision not to introduce a higher rate tax for the most sugary drinks is good news for industry but bad for public health
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
The UK government’s decision not to introduce a higher rate tax for the most sugary drinks is good news for industry but bad for public health
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
October 29, 2025 at 9:49 AM
The sugar intake of children in the UK is more than double the recommended maximum amount.
The UK government’s decision not to introduce a higher rate tax for the most sugary drinks is good news for industry but bad for public health
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
The UK government’s decision not to introduce a higher rate tax for the most sugary drinks is good news for industry but bad for public health
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
Reposted by Simon Bacon
📢 Paper update!
A revised version of “Predicting outcomes of smoking cessation interventions in novel scenarios using ontology-informed, interpretable machine learning” is now published.
Read it here 👉 wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/8-5...
Many thanks to everyone who contributed!
A revised version of “Predicting outcomes of smoking cessation interventions in novel scenarios using ontology-informed, interpretable machine learning” is now published.
Read it here 👉 wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/8-5...
Many thanks to everyone who contributed!
wellcomeopenresearch.org
October 29, 2025 at 6:21 PM
📢 Paper update!
A revised version of “Predicting outcomes of smoking cessation interventions in novel scenarios using ontology-informed, interpretable machine learning” is now published.
Read it here 👉 wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/8-5...
Many thanks to everyone who contributed!
A revised version of “Predicting outcomes of smoking cessation interventions in novel scenarios using ontology-informed, interpretable machine learning” is now published.
Read it here 👉 wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/8-5...
Many thanks to everyone who contributed!
Reposted by Simon Bacon
Health and Climate Change: Solutions to Meet New Risks in Canada. Join me October 6th, 2025 | 12:00- 17:00 ET at the
The Globe and Mail Centre, Toronto. Tickets:
globeandmailevents.com/healthandcli...
The Globe and Mail Centre, Toronto. Tickets:
globeandmailevents.com/healthandcli...
August 24, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Health and Climate Change: Solutions to Meet New Risks in Canada. Join me October 6th, 2025 | 12:00- 17:00 ET at the
The Globe and Mail Centre, Toronto. Tickets:
globeandmailevents.com/healthandcli...
The Globe and Mail Centre, Toronto. Tickets:
globeandmailevents.com/healthandcli...
Reposted by Simon Bacon
Why we need trust in science: @carlbergstrom.com nails it.
This is why I’m sleuthing in retirement. Some say that talking about fraud destroys trust in science.
No. Turning a blind eye to fraud and pretending it’s not happening is what destroys trust.
This is why I’m sleuthing in retirement. Some say that talking about fraud destroys trust in science.
No. Turning a blind eye to fraud and pretending it’s not happening is what destroys trust.
1. "'Trusting the experts is not a feature of either a science or democracy," Kennedy said."
It's literally a vital feature of both science and of representative democracy.
I've written a fair bit about trust in expertise as a vital mechanism in the collective epistemology of science.
It's literally a vital feature of both science and of representative democracy.
I've written a fair bit about trust in expertise as a vital mechanism in the collective epistemology of science.
RFK Jr. in interview with Scripps News: ‘Trusting the experts is not science’
HHS Secretary RFK Jr. sat down with Scripps News for a wide-ranging interview, discussing mRNA vaccine funding policy changes and a recent shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
www.scrippsnews.com
August 12, 2025 at 5:25 AM
Why we need trust in science: @carlbergstrom.com nails it.
This is why I’m sleuthing in retirement. Some say that talking about fraud destroys trust in science.
No. Turning a blind eye to fraud and pretending it’s not happening is what destroys trust.
This is why I’m sleuthing in retirement. Some say that talking about fraud destroys trust in science.
No. Turning a blind eye to fraud and pretending it’s not happening is what destroys trust.
Reposted by Simon Bacon
🔊 New in Social Science & Medicine - 'Do nudges need a regulatory push? Comparing the effectiveness and implementation of exemplar nudge (size-based) and non-nudge (price-based) dietary interventions'
Available here (£0):
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Summary 🧵 follows 👇
#BehSci #Nudge
Available here (£0):
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Summary 🧵 follows 👇
#BehSci #Nudge
Do nudges need a regulatory push? Comparing the effectiveness and implementation of exemplar nudge (size-based) and non-nudge (price-based) dietary interventions
Changing behaviour across populations is key to improving population health and achieving net zero by 2050, including changing diets. We examine the e…
www.sciencedirect.com
March 31, 2025 at 3:46 PM
🔊 New in Social Science & Medicine - 'Do nudges need a regulatory push? Comparing the effectiveness and implementation of exemplar nudge (size-based) and non-nudge (price-based) dietary interventions'
Available here (£0):
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Summary 🧵 follows 👇
#BehSci #Nudge
Available here (£0):
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Summary 🧵 follows 👇
#BehSci #Nudge
Reposted by Simon Bacon
Are behavioural interventions more effective at key life moments?
2 new reports from the Dept of Transport assess if transport behaviour change efforts are most impactful during times of change & identify moments relevant to practitioners.
Read more on Centre-UB: www.centre-ub.org/news/are-beh...
2 new reports from the Dept of Transport assess if transport behaviour change efforts are most impactful during times of change & identify moments relevant to practitioners.
Read more on Centre-UB: www.centre-ub.org/news/are-beh...
Are behavioural interventions more effective when delivered at key times in people’s lives? - Centre-UB
New reports from the Department for Transport assess the evidence for the proposition that interventions to bring about transport behaviour change are particularly effective at moments of change. The ...
www.centre-ub.org
April 16, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Are behavioural interventions more effective at key life moments?
2 new reports from the Dept of Transport assess if transport behaviour change efforts are most impactful during times of change & identify moments relevant to practitioners.
Read more on Centre-UB: www.centre-ub.org/news/are-beh...
2 new reports from the Dept of Transport assess if transport behaviour change efforts are most impactful during times of change & identify moments relevant to practitioners.
Read more on Centre-UB: www.centre-ub.org/news/are-beh...
Reposted by Simon Bacon
📢 Oyé! Oyé! Vous travaillez en partenariat avec diverses parties prenantes?
👉 Élaborez vos chartes partenariales avec cet outil intéractif! 🤝
view.genially.com/6813b69f2c9b...
@anaislacasse.bsky.social @adangrenier.bsky.social @passerelle-hub.bsky.social @inspq.qc.ca @sbacon20.bsky.social
👉 Élaborez vos chartes partenariales avec cet outil intéractif! 🤝
view.genially.com/6813b69f2c9b...
@anaislacasse.bsky.social @adangrenier.bsky.social @passerelle-hub.bsky.social @inspq.qc.ca @sbacon20.bsky.social
Faisons un pacte
view.genially.com
June 3, 2025 at 1:24 PM
📢 Oyé! Oyé! Vous travaillez en partenariat avec diverses parties prenantes?
👉 Élaborez vos chartes partenariales avec cet outil intéractif! 🤝
view.genially.com/6813b69f2c9b...
@anaislacasse.bsky.social @adangrenier.bsky.social @passerelle-hub.bsky.social @inspq.qc.ca @sbacon20.bsky.social
👉 Élaborez vos chartes partenariales avec cet outil intéractif! 🤝
view.genially.com/6813b69f2c9b...
@anaislacasse.bsky.social @adangrenier.bsky.social @passerelle-hub.bsky.social @inspq.qc.ca @sbacon20.bsky.social
Reposted by Simon Bacon
Tempering implementation optimism: distinguishing between efficacy and effectiveness in implementation research
Per Nilsen, Jeanette Wassar Kirk, Katarina Ulfsdotter Gunnarsson & Kristin Thomas
@implementsci.bsky.social #ImpSci
implementationsciencecomms.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
Per Nilsen, Jeanette Wassar Kirk, Katarina Ulfsdotter Gunnarsson & Kristin Thomas
@implementsci.bsky.social #ImpSci
implementationsciencecomms.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
Tempering implementation optimism: distinguishing between efficacy and effectiveness in implementation research - Implementation Science Communications
Background The distinction between efficacy (performance under ideal conditions) and effectiveness (performance in real-world settings) is well established in intervention research. Intervention effec...
implementationsciencecomms.biomedcentral.com
August 24, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Tempering implementation optimism: distinguishing between efficacy and effectiveness in implementation research
Per Nilsen, Jeanette Wassar Kirk, Katarina Ulfsdotter Gunnarsson & Kristin Thomas
@implementsci.bsky.social #ImpSci
implementationsciencecomms.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
Per Nilsen, Jeanette Wassar Kirk, Katarina Ulfsdotter Gunnarsson & Kristin Thomas
@implementsci.bsky.social #ImpSci
implementationsciencecomms.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
Reposted by Simon Bacon
Our short article and infographic in the BJSM summarises the results of a meta-analysis that examined which exercise strategies boost cognitive function in people with clinical depression;
bjsm.bmj.com/content/earl...
bjsm.bmj.com/content/earl...
August 24, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Our short article and infographic in the BJSM summarises the results of a meta-analysis that examined which exercise strategies boost cognitive function in people with clinical depression;
bjsm.bmj.com/content/earl...
bjsm.bmj.com/content/earl...
Reposted by Simon Bacon
Love this! ❤️
This 92-year-old sprinter has the muscle cells of someone in their 20s wapo.st/4oXOJjB
"A lot of the detrimental effects that you see with aging can be substantially reduced if we just keep those physical activity levels very high."
Sum: #Move!
This 92-year-old sprinter has the muscle cells of someone in their 20s wapo.st/4oXOJjB
"A lot of the detrimental effects that you see with aging can be substantially reduced if we just keep those physical activity levels very high."
Sum: #Move!
This 92-year-old sprinter has the muscle cells of someone in their 20s
Emma Maria Mazzenga, 92, holds four world records for women over 90. Now, researchers are trying to understand the secret to her success.
wapo.st
August 24, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Love this! ❤️
This 92-year-old sprinter has the muscle cells of someone in their 20s wapo.st/4oXOJjB
"A lot of the detrimental effects that you see with aging can be substantially reduced if we just keep those physical activity levels very high."
Sum: #Move!
This 92-year-old sprinter has the muscle cells of someone in their 20s wapo.st/4oXOJjB
"A lot of the detrimental effects that you see with aging can be substantially reduced if we just keep those physical activity levels very high."
Sum: #Move!
Reposted by Simon Bacon
Reposted by Simon Bacon
Behavioral scientists, your moment is now. ABM's new Call to Action outlines a clear, strategic path to create research that drives real impact — for planetary health and for all life on Earth.
Dive in and read our newest article here: 🔗 academic.oup.com/abm/article/...
@apajournals.bsky.social
Dive in and read our newest article here: 🔗 academic.oup.com/abm/article/...
@apajournals.bsky.social
April 21, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Behavioral scientists, your moment is now. ABM's new Call to Action outlines a clear, strategic path to create research that drives real impact — for planetary health and for all life on Earth.
Dive in and read our newest article here: 🔗 academic.oup.com/abm/article/...
@apajournals.bsky.social
Dive in and read our newest article here: 🔗 academic.oup.com/abm/article/...
@apajournals.bsky.social
Reposted by Simon Bacon
Build your own study smarphone app during this 3-day hands on workshop! Apply by April 21. Please re-post. #sbm2025
@casbsstanford.bsky.social @digital-health.bsky.social @policysrnt.bsky.social @cpddorg.bsky.social @theaacr.bsky.social @abctstudentsig.bsky.social @sbacon20.bsky.social
@casbsstanford.bsky.social @digital-health.bsky.social @policysrnt.bsky.social @cpddorg.bsky.social @theaacr.bsky.social @abctstudentsig.bsky.social @sbacon20.bsky.social
Attend the 3rd annual 3-day Insight mHealth Workshop (June 25-27). Learn how to create Apple/Android mHealth/EMA/JITAI apps. Fee is only $500. Apply by April 21: healthpromotionresearch.org/Mobile-Healt...
March 26, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Build your own study smarphone app during this 3-day hands on workshop! Apply by April 21. Please re-post. #sbm2025
@casbsstanford.bsky.social @digital-health.bsky.social @policysrnt.bsky.social @cpddorg.bsky.social @theaacr.bsky.social @abctstudentsig.bsky.social @sbacon20.bsky.social
@casbsstanford.bsky.social @digital-health.bsky.social @policysrnt.bsky.social @cpddorg.bsky.social @theaacr.bsky.social @abctstudentsig.bsky.social @sbacon20.bsky.social
Reposted by Simon Bacon
We are excited to announce the 2025 Clinical Trials Training Summit, advancing quality, innovation, and inclusivity in clinical trials. Feb 24-26, Vancouver, BC + virtual attendance free and open to the public. #ClinicalTrialTraining #CTSummit2025
clinicaltrailstrainingsummit2025.wecantrain.ca
clinicaltrailstrainingsummit2025.wecantrain.ca
January 31, 2025 at 9:09 PM
We are excited to announce the 2025 Clinical Trials Training Summit, advancing quality, innovation, and inclusivity in clinical trials. Feb 24-26, Vancouver, BC + virtual attendance free and open to the public. #ClinicalTrialTraining #CTSummit2025
clinicaltrailstrainingsummit2025.wecantrain.ca
clinicaltrailstrainingsummit2025.wecantrain.ca