Dr Luke Allen.
MBChB, MPH, BSc (Hons), PGCE Clin Edu, PGDip Health Research, MRCGP, FHEA
Clinical Research Fellow | WHO & World Bank consultant
I'm a British family physician and global health consultant trained at Bristol, Harvard, the Kennedy School of Government, MIT, Oxford, and LSHTM. I work in global health policy and have experience with Public Health England, the World Bank, and the WHO.
I have worked with the governments of Afghanistan, Botswana, Ethiopia, France, Kenya, Mauritius, Liberia, Libya, Pakistan, Portugal, Somalia, Sudan, Turkey, Yemen, Zambia, and Zanzibar, and many others. I've advised UNICEF, DFID, NHS England, WHO, the World Bank, and the New South Wales Critical Intelligence Unit.
I currently work as co-director of Global Primary Care at the University of Oxford, alongside Prof Michael Kidd and I'm winding up my role at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine where I've been using implementation research and adaptive trial design to optimise community-based screening programmes across Botswana, India, Kenya and Nepal - and helping to set up the school's award-winning Primary Health Care Group.
Having completed Oxford academic GP training, I also work as a part-time family physician. I'm a board member and treasurer for RCGP Thames Valley Faculty and I'm an editorial board member at the British Journal of General Practice; the world's highest ranked primary care journal.
I'm an editorial board member at the African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine; the official journal of the World Organization of Family Doctors Africa Region and the PRIMAFAMED network. I'm the international lead for the Faculty of Public Health special interest group on Primary Care and Public Health, and I sit on the International Advisory Board of the Lancet Primary Care.
In partnership with Davide Bilardi, I lead the Global Healthcare Leadership masters module on Global Health Challenges masters course at Oxford's Saïd Business School.
I have published a large volume of high-impact research in top-tier journals and have been interviewed on BBC News, Radio 4, NPR, China Global TV, and in the New Scientist, Wall Street Journal, Politico, i Newspaper, Telegraph, Independent, BMJ, Wired and many others. My opinion has been published in the Times, Economist, Lancet, Financial Times, BMJ, and New Scientist. I'm currently serving as a commissioner on the Lancet Commission on Transforming Primary Health Care in the Post-COVID Era, and the Lancet Global Health Commission on People-Centred Care for Universal Health Coverage.
I am the director of Healthier Systems, a dynamic global health research consultancy that uses cutting edge mixed-methods to advance health for all. Current projects include working as the WHO focal point to the World Bank for the upcoming Global NCD Report; supporting multiple governments in the Global South as they review their national packages of essential health services, and supporting the publication of a series of papers on global health governence with WHO HQ.
Twitter @drlukeallen
Curent positions.
Co-Director
Global Primary Care & Future Health Systems
I co-lead these themes at Oxford's Department of Primary Care. My academic expertise is in health systems and applied policy research.
I teach global health policy and leadership on masters courses and will be supervising PhD students.
I'm winding down my role at LSHTM where I led international mixed-methods trials to improve equitable access to community-based care. I continue to support the school's Primary Health Care group.
Family physician
Hedena GP Surgery
Oxford
I'm a jobbing GP in Oxford seeing patients on a weekly basis.
I'm the international lead for the Faculty of Public Health special interest group on integrating public health and primary care.
I also sit on the BJGP editorial board, and the board of the Thames Valley Faculty of the RCGP, where I am also the treasurer.
I advise the WHO and World Bank on primary health care reform across low and middle income countries.
Advisor
WHO, World Bank, and numerous governments
I have worked extensively as a global health consultant at the intersection of health, politics, and economics - specialising in primary health care and population-level prevention of noncommunicable diseases.
As the director of Healthier Systems I lead an international interdisciplinary team to support governments and international development partners.
I am an active health advocate and have lobbied policymakers in Westminster, the US Congress and Senate, European Parliament, and at two UN General Assemblies.
Publications.
Commercial & Political Determinants of NCDs
Book chapters
Allen LN. Assessing the Health Impacts of the Commercial Determinants of Health. In: Maani N, Petticrew M, Galea S (Eds). Commercial Determinants of Health. Oxford University Press. 2022.
Allen LN. The Commercial Determinants of Global Health. In: Haring R, Kickbusch I, Ganten D, Moeti M, (Eds). Handbook of Global Health. Springer Nature. 2020.
Contributor. 'Public health advocacy for the prevention of NCDs' in: Rayner M, Wickramasinghe K, Williams J, Mendis S, McColl K (Eds). An Introduction to Population-Level Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases. Oxford University Press. 2017.
WHO Manuals
Sugar-sweetened beverage taxation policies to promote healthy diets. WHO. 2022.
Journal articles
Akselrod S, Collins TE, Berlina D, De Pinho Campos K, Fones G, de Sousa Neves D, Bashir F, Allen LN. Multisectoral action to address noncommunicable diseases: lessons from three country case studies. Frontiers in Public Health. 2024.
Loffreda G, Arakelyan S, Bou-Orm I, Holmer H, Allen LN, Witter S, Ager A, Diaconu K. Barriers and Opportunities for WHO “Best Buys” Non-communicable Disease Policy Adoption and Implementation From a Political Economy Perspective: A Complexity Systematic Review. International Journal of Health Policy and Management. 2023 Dec 31.
Akselrod S, Collins T, Berlina D, Collins A, Allen LN. Integrated health reporting within the UN architecture: learning from maternal, newborn and child health. Global Health Research and Policy. January 2024.
Collins T, Akselrod S, Atun R, Bennett , Ogbuoji O, Hanson M, Dubois G, Shakarishvili A, Kalnina I, Requejo J, Mosneaga A, Watable A, Berlina D, Joshi N, Allen LN. Converging global health agendas and Universal Health Coverage: Financing whole-of-government action through UHC+. Lancet Global Health. November 2023.
Akselrod S, Collins T, Berlina D, Collins A, Allen LN. The Impact of the UN High-Level Meetings on Non-Communicable Diseases. BMJ Global Health. October 2023.
Akselrod S, Collins T, Berlina D, Allen LN. The impact of UN high-level meetings on global health priorities. Global Transitions. August 2023.
Akselrod S, Banerjee A, Collins T, Acharya S, Artykova N, Askew I, Berdzuli N, Diorditsa S, Eggers R, Farrington J, Jakab Z, Ferreira-Borges C, Mikkelsen, Azzopardi-Muscat N, Olsavszky V, Park K, Sobel H, Tran H, Vujnovic M, Weber M, Were W, Yaqub N, Berlina D, Dunlop C, Allen LN. Integrating maternal, newborn, child health and non-communicable disease care in the sustainable development goal era. Frontiers in Public Health. June 2023.
Perera V, Allen LN, Farrand C, Kwong EJ, Liyanage I, Wickramasinghe K. Evaluating the role of salt intake in achieving WHO NCD targets in the Eurasian Economic Union: A PRIME modeling study. PLOS ONE. July 2023.
Collins T, Akslerod S, Mahy L, Poznyak V, Berlina D, Hatefi A, Allen LN. Engaging with the private sector for noncommunicable disease prevention and control: Is it possible to create “shared value?” Annals of Global Health. July 2023.
Baatiema L, Sanuade OA, Allen LN, Abimbola S, Hategeka C, Koram KA, Kruk ME.
Health system adaptations to improve care for people living with non-communicable diseases during COVID-19 in low-middle income countries: A scoping review. J Glob Health. June 2023.
Barlow P, Allen LN. US and EU Free Trade Agreements and implementation of policies to control tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy food and drink: a quasi-experimental analysis. PLOS Medicine. 2023.
Allen LN, Wild C, Loffreda G, Kak M, Aghilla M, Emahbes T, Elsaeh H. Noncommunicable Disease Policy Implementation in Libya: a mixed-methods assessment. PLOS Global Public Health. November 2022.
Allen LN, Aghilla M, Kak M, Loffreda G, Wild C, Hatefi A, Herbst C, Elsaeh H. Conflict as a macro-determinant of noncommunicable diseases: the experience of Libya. BMJ Global Health. 2022.
Goiana-da-Silva F, Muc M, Cruz-e-Silva D, Rito A, Lopes C, Miraldo M, Darzi A. Allen LN. Modelling the health impact of legislation to limit the salt content of bread in Portugal: a macro simulation study. Frontiers in Public Health. September 2022.
Allen LN. Trust, but verify: “Part of the Solution:” Food Corporation Strategies for Regulatory Capture and Legitimacy. Int J Health Policy and Management. July 2022.
Barlow P. Allen LN. The impact of trade and investment agreements on the implementation non-communicable disease policies, 2014-2019: protocol for a statistical study. MedRxiv. June 2022.
Allen LN, Wigley S, Holmer H. Assessing the association between corporate political influence and implementation of policies to tackle commercial determinants of non-communicable diseases: a cross-sectional analysis of 172 countries. Social Science and Medicine. March 2022.
Allen LN, Wigley S, Holmer H. Assessing the association between corporate political influence and implementation of policies to tackle commercial determinants of non-communicable diseases: a cross-sectional analysis of 172 countries: Protocol. BMJ Open. August 2022.
Collins T, Akselrod S, Daria B, Allen LN. Unleashing Implementation Research to Accelerate National Noncommunicable Disease Responses. Globalization and Health. January 2022.
Allen LN, Wigley S, Holmer H. Implementation of non-communicable disease policies from 2015 to 2020: a geopolitical analysis of 194 countries. Lancet Global Health. October 2021.
Holmer H, Allen L. Policies to prevent non-communicable disease: implementation trends in 194 countries 2015–2020. European Journal of Public Health. 2020 Sep;30(Supplement_5):ckaa165-992. [conference abstract]
Allen LN, Nicholson BD, Yeung B, Goiana-da-Silva F. Implementation of non-communicable disease policies: a geopolitical analysis of 151 countries. Lancet Global Health. December 2019.
Allen LN, Goiana-da-Silva G, Nicholson BD. Democracy and implementation of non-communicable disease policies: Author's reply. Lancet Global Health. April 2020.
Shao R, Feil C, Wild CE, Morschel K, Bonyani A, Smith RW, Kailas T, Leventhal O, Alsoud Y, Hatefi A, Varghese C, Zhang Y, Rosseau N, Waqanivalu T, Xu Y, Mikkelsen B, Allen LN. Assessing the characteristics of 110 low‐ and middle‐income countries’ noncommunicable disease national action plans. Int J Non‐Communicable Diseases. 2021.
Allen LN, Pullar J, Wickramasinghe K, Williams J, Roberts N, Mikkelsen B, Varghese C, Townsend N. Evaluation of research on interventions aligned to WHO ‘Best Buys’ for NCDs in Low- and Lower-Middle Income Countries: A Systematic Review from 1990-2015. BMJ Global Health. 2018.
Allen LN, Pullar J, Wickramasinghe K, Williams J, Foster C, Roberts N, Mikkelsen B, Varghese C, Townsend N. Are WHO “best buys” for non-communicable diseases effective in low-income and lower-middle-income countries? A systematic review. Lancet Global Health. 2017.[ conference abstract]
Allen L, Williams J, Townsend N, Mikkelsen B, Roberts N, Foster C, Wickramasinghe K. Socioeconomic status and non-communicable disease behavioural risk factors in low-income and lower-middle-income countries: a systematic review. Lancet Global Health. March 2017.
Allen LN, Townsend N, Williams J, Mikkelsen B, Roberts N, Wickramasinghe K. Socioeconomic status and alcohol use in low-and lower-middle income countries: A systematic review. Alcohol. Aug 2018.
Pullar J, Allen L, Townsend N, Williams J, Foster C, Roberts N, Rayner M, Mikkelsen B, Branca F, Wickramasinghe K. The impact of poverty reduction and development interventions on non-communicable diseases and their behavioural risk factors in low and lower-middle income countries: a systematic review. PLOS One. Feb 2018.
Pullar J, Allen LN, Townsend N, Williams J, Foster C, Roberts N, Mikkelsen B, Wickramasinghe K. Poverty and development interventions that address behavioural risk factors of non-communicable diseases in low- and lower middle-income countries: a systematic review. The Lancet. 2016. November 388; S97 [conference abstract].
Williams J, Allen LN, Wickramasinghe K, Mikkelsen B, Roberts N, Townsend N. A systematic review of associations between non-communicable diseases and socioeconomic status within low-and lower-middle-income countries. Journal of Global Health. 2018. Dec;8(2).
Allen LN, Fox N, Ambrose A. Quantifying research output on poverty and non-communicable disease behavioural risk factors in low-income and lower middle-income countries: a bibliometric analysis. BMJ Open. 2017. Nov 1;7(11):e014715.
Allen LN, Cobiac L, Townsend N. Quantifying the global distribution of premature mortality from non-communicable diseases. Journal of Public Health. 2017. 39:(4);698-703.
Breda J, Allen L, Tibet B, Erguder T, Karabulut E, Huseyin Yildirim H, Mok A, Wickramasinghe K. Estimating the impact of achieving Turkey’s non-communicable disease policy targets: a macro-simulation modelling study. The Lancet Regional Health Europe. Jan 2021.
Goiana-da-Silva F, Severo M, Cruz e Silva D, João Gregório M, Allen LN, Muc M, Nunes A, Torres D, Miraldo M, Ashrafian H, Rito A, Wickramasinghe K, Breda J, Darzi A, Araújo F, Lopes C. Projected impact of the Portuguese sugar sweetened beverage tax on obesity incidence across different age groups: A modelling study. PLOS Medicine. 2020. March 12.
Goiana-da-Silva F, Cruz-e-Silva D, Allen L, Nunes AM, Calhau C, Rito A, Bento A, Miraldo M, Darzi A. Portugal’s voluntary food reformulation agreement and the WHO reformulation targets. Journal of Global Health. 2019 Dec;9(2).
Goiana-da-Silva F, Cruz-e-Silva D, Allen L, Gregório MJ, Severo M, Nogueira PJ, Nunes AM, Graça P, Lopes C, Miraldo M, Breda J. Modelling impacts of food industry co-regulation on noncommunicable disease mortality, Portugal. WHO Bulletin. 2019. Jul 1;97:7.
Hatefi A, Allen LN. Donors, non-communicable diseases and universal health coverage to high-quality healthcare: an opportunity for action on global functions for health. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. 2018. 72:665-667.
Hatefi A, Allen LN, Bollyky TJ, Roache SA, Nugent R. Global susceptibility and response to noncommunicable diseases. WHO Bulletin. 2018. Aug 1;96(8):586.
Hauerslev M, Allen LN. Young people and noncommunicable diseases: vulnerable to disease, vital for change. International J Noncommunicable Diseases. 2018. 2: 45-8.
Allen L. British healthy-weight services for disabled children are largely based on inappropriate data. Public Health. 2014.128(5):491.
Allen L, Wickramasinghe K, Townsend N. WHO Discussion paper: Alignment of international cooperation with national plans on NCDs. WHO Global Coordination Mechanism on NCDs. 2016.
WHO Europe (author). Member States consultation on mis- and disinformation in the context of noncommunicable diseases and risk factors. 1st September 2021. (Internal)
WHO Europe (author). Media and Online Platforms meeting on misinformation related to noncommunicable diseases and risk factors. 5th February 2021. (Internal)
WHO Europe (author). Civil society meeting on misinformation related to noncommunicable diseases and risk factors. 9th December 2020. (Internal)
WHO Europe (author). Obesity and Covid-19. Expert meeting report. December 2020. (Internal)
Kickbusch I, Allen LN, Franz C. Commercial determinants of health. Lancet Global Health. 2016. Dec; 4 (12):e895-e896.
Allen L. Bloomfield A. Engaging the private sector. Lancet Global Health. 2016. Dec;4(12):e897-e898.
Allen LN, Løge B, Wickramasinghe K, Breda J. Strengthening capacity for noncommunicable disease implementation research in the WHO European Region. WHO Europe. 2019.
Allen LN, Hateft A, Feigl A. Corporate profits versus spending on non-communicable disease prevention: an unhealthy balance. Lancet Global Health. 2019. November 1:7(11)e1482-1483.
Allen L. Are we facing a non-communicable disease pandemic? Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health. 2016. Mar;7(1):5-9.
Allen LN. Fiscal policies and global public health. The Lancet. 2019. Aug 10;394(10197):470.
Allen LN. Action on salt in China. The Lancet. 2019. Mar 23;393(10177):1202.
Allen LN. You're not speaking my language: reframing NCDs for politicians and policy makers. The Lancet. 2017. Oct 21;390(10105):1831.
Allen LN. Financing national non-communicable disease responses. Global Health Action. 2017. 10:1, 1326687.
Allen L. Non-communicable disease funding. Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. 2017. Feb 1;5(2):92.
Allen LN. Why is there no funding for Non-Communicable Diseases? Journal of Global Health Perspectives. 2016.
Allen L. Prevention at the Heart of Health System Sustainability. Int J Preventive and Public Health Sciences. 2015.15;1(3):1.
Allen L. Non-communicable disease research. International J Non-Communicable Diseases. 2016.1:131-3.
Allen L. Biosecurity and Non-Communicable Diseases. Journal of Bioterrorism and Biodefense 2016.7:145.
Allen LN, Feigl A. What's in a name? Re-framing non-communicable diseases. Lancet Global Health. 2017. Feb 1;5(2):e129-30.
Allen LN, Feigl AB. Reframing non-communicable diseases–Authors' reply. Lancet Global Health. 2017. Nov 1;5(11):e1072.
Allen LN, Feigl AB. Reframing non-communicable diseases as socially transmitted conditions. Lancet Global Health. 2017. Jul 1;5(7):e644-6.
Primary Health Care
Book chapters
Allen LN, Plummer M, Gupta A, Venema M, Khalid F, Toro Polanco N, Reynolds T. PHC-oriented models of care. Chapter in: Rajan D, Rouleau K, Winkelmann J, Jakab M, Kringos D, Khalid F (Eds). Implementing the Primary Health Care Approach: a Primer. WHO & European Health Observatory. 2023.Barbazza E, Allen LN, Abimbola S. Primary health care and primary care: definitions, terminology and frameworks. Chapter in: Rajan D, Rouleau K, Winkelmann J, Jakab M, Kringos D, Khalid F (Eds). Implementing the Primary Health Care Approach: a Primer. WHO & European Health Observatory. 2023.
Barkley S, Allen LN, Brown L, Kaara C, Malik F, Omam L, Dalil S, Kelly E. Health systems based on primary health care. In: Siddiqi S, Mataria A, Rouleau KD, Iqbal M. (Eds). Making Health Systems Work in Low and Middle Income Countries. Cambridge University Press. 2022.
Journal articles
Allen LN, Kidd M. Global primary care: what it is, what it isn’t, and why it matters to us all. The Lancet Global Health. 2025.
Allen LN, Rechel B, Alton D, Pettigrew LM, McKee M, Pinto AD, Exley J, Turner-Moss E, Thomas K, Mallander J, Rajan D, Dedeu T, Bailey S, Goodwin N. Integrating public health & primary care: a framework for seamless collaboration. BJGP Open. 2024.
Haft H, Allen L. Primary Care and Public Health – Both Essential for National Health Security and Population Health. J American Board Fam Med. 2024.
Nafade V, Sen P, Arentz M, Kadam R, Bigio J, Allen LN, Blandina DM, Bosire S, Ferreira J, Jha S, John O. The value of diagnostic imaging for enhancing primary care in low-and middle-income countries. eClinicalMedicine. 2024.
Allen LN, Hatefi A, Mallender J, Kak M, Herbst C, Ghassan K. A mixed methods assessment of the Libyan Primary Health Care System. BMC Health Services Research. 2024.
Allen LN. Kim M, Gichangi M, Mcleod D, Carpenter J, Tlhajoane M, Karanja S, Bolster N, Burton M, Bastawrous A. Protocol for an adaptive platform trial of intended service user-derived interventions to equitably reduce non-attendance in eye screening programmes in Botswana, India, Kenya & Nepal. MedRxiv. 2024.
Baatiema L, Aikins AD, Koram KK, Kunfah SM, Allen LN, Abimbola S, Kruk M. Frontline health workers’ experiences of providing care for people living with non-communicable diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana: a qualitative study. BMJ Open. 2024.
Caleyachetty R, Oyekan DA, Allen LN. What is global primary care?. InnovAiT. 2024.
Allen LN, Karanja S, Gichangi M, Bunywera, Rono H, Macleod D, Kim M, Tlhajoane M, Burton M, Ramke J, Bolster N, Bastawrous A. Access to community-based eye services in Meru, Kenya: a cross-sectional equity analysis. Int J Equity in Health. 2024.
Allen LN, Karanja S, Gichangi M, Mishra S, Sabherwal S, Motlhatlhedi K, Nkomazana O, Macleod D, Kim M, Ramke J, Ratshaa B, Tlhajoane M, Ho-Foster A, Bolster NM, Roshan A, Javed M, Burton MJ, Bastawrous A. Identifying barriers and potential solutions to improve equitable access to community eye services in Botswana, India, Kenya, and Nepal: a rapid exploratory sequential mixed methods study protocol. medRxiv. 2024.
Allen LN, Karanja S, Gichangi M, Bunywera C, Muturi E, Gachobi D, Kathure P, Muasa EM, Mutwiri L, Kajuju L, Kagwiria F. Identifying barriers and potential solutions to improve equitable access to community eye services in central Kenya: a rapid exploratory sequential mixed methods study. medRxiv. 2024.
Allen LN, Karanja S, Tlhajoane M, Tlhakanelo J, Macleod D, Bastawrous A. A protocol for the comparison of telephone and in-person interview modalities: duration, richness, and costs in the context of exploring determinants of equitable access to community health services in Meru, Kenya. Int J Qualitative Methods. 2024.
Allen LN, Karanja S, Tlhakanelo J, Macleod D, Tlhajoane M, Bastawrous A. Comparison of telephone and in-person interview modalities: duration, richness, and costs in the context of exploring determinants of equitable access to community health services in Meru, Kenya. medRxiv. 2024.
Allen LN. Kim M, Gichangi M, Mcleod D, Carpenter J, Tlhajoane M, Karanja S, Bolster N, Burton M, Bastawrous A. Protocol for an individual-level, two arm, superiority RCT within an adaptive platform trial: Enhanced patient counselling and SMS reminder messages to improve access to community-based eye care services in Meru, Kenya. medRxiv. 2024.
Bashir F, Allen LN. Health financing in Sudan: key informant interviews in the wake of the 2023 conflict. medRxiv. December 2023.
Allen LN, Azab H, Jonga R, Gordon I, Karanja S, Thaker N, Evans J, Ramke J, Bastawrous A. Rapid methods for identifying barriers and solutions to improve access to community health services: a scoping review. BJGP Open. December 2023.
Allen LN, Pettigrew L, Exley J, Nugent R, Balabanova D, Villar-Uribe M, Baatiema L, Shubber Z, Mugambi J, Kidd M, Zewdie A, Padula I, Abimbola S. The role of Primary Health Care, primary care and hospitals in advancing Universal Health Coverage. BMJ Global Health. December 2023.
Kasper T, Yamey G, Dwyer S, McDade K, Liden J, Lüdemann C, Diab M, Ogbuoji O, Poodla P, Schrade C, Thoumi A, Zimmerman A, Assefa Y, Allen LN, Basinga P, Garcia PJ, Jackson D, Mwanyika H, Nugent R, Ofosu A, Rawaf S, Reddy KS, Settle D, Tritter B, Benn C. The case for targeting additional development assistance to primary health care. The Lancet. November 2023.
Mallender J, Hatefi A, Allen LN, Shubber Z, Kak M, El-Saharty S, Karem G. Models of Integrated Care: The Global Experience. Health, Nutrition, and Population Discussion Paper. Washington DC: World Bank. April 2023.
Allen LN, Nkomazana O, Mishra S, Gichangi M, Macleod D, Ramke J, Bolster N, Marques A, Rono H, Burton M, Kim M, Ratshaa B, Karanja S, Ho-Foster A, Bastawrous A. Improvement Studies for Equitable and Evidence-based Innovation: an overview of the ‘IM-SEEN’ model. Int J Equity in Health. 2023.
Allen LN, Azab H, Jonga R, Gordon I, Karanja S, Evans J, Thaker N, Ramke J, Bastawrous A. Rapid methods for identifying barriers and solutions to improve access to community health services: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open. December 2023.
Allen LN. The philosophical foundations of ‘health for all’ and Universal Health Coverage. Int J Equity in Health. 2022.
Allen LN. Primary health care is not just a service delivery platform. Lancet Global Health. 2022.
WHO (contributor). A vision for primary health care in the 21st century: towards universal health coverage and the sustainable development goals. Geneva: WHO. 2018.
WHO (contributor). Primary health care: transforming vision into action: operational framework. Geneva: WHO. 2018.
G7 (ghost writer). Primary Health Care Universal Knowledge Initiative Joint Report: Gavi, Global Fund, OECD, World Bank & WHO. December 2019. (Internal).
WHO (contributor). Primary Health Care measurement framework and indicators: monitoring health systems through a primary health care lens. Geneva: WHO. 2022.
WHO (contributor). Annex: Technical specifications: Primary Health Care Measurement Framework and Indicators. Geneva: WHO. 2022.
WHO Europe (contributor). Realizing a health promoting primary care by prioritizing health promotion and disease prevention services. Gesundheit Österreich, on behalf of the Austrian Ministry of Health. 2022.
Gilbert C, Faal H, Allen L, Burton M. What is primary eye health care? Community Eye Health Journal. 2021;34(113):70.
Allen LN, Burton M. How policy makers can support primary eye health care. Community Eye Health Journal. 2022.
Allen LN, Smith RW, Simmons-Jones F, Roberts N, Honney R, Currie J. Assessing and addressing the social determinants of noncommunicable diseases in primary care: a systematic review. WHO Bulletin 2020;98:754–765B.
Allen LN, Smith RW, Simmons-Jones F, Roberts N, Honney R, Currie J. Addressing social determinants of noncommunicable diseases in primary care: a scoping review. European Journal of Public Health. 2020 Sep;30(Supplement_5):ckaa165-1131. (conference abstract).
Simmons-Jones FM, Allen LN, Smith RW, Roberts N, Honney R, Currie J. P52 Primary care approaches to measuring and mobilising action on social determinants of non-communicable disease: a systematic review. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Sep 2020, 74 (Suppl 1) A68.(conference abstract).
Rawaf S, Allen LN, Stigler FL, Kringos D, Quezada-Yamamoto H, van Weel C. Lessons on the COVID-19 pandemic, for and by primary care professionals worldwide. European Journal of General Practice. 2020: 26:1, 129-133.
Thomas K, Barry E, Watkins S, Czaurdena J, Allen LN. General Practitioner with an Extended Role in Population Health. BJGP. 2020; 70 (697): 378-379.
Allen LN. Dambha-Miller H. COVID-19 and international primary care systems: Rebuilding a stronger primary care. BJGP Open.
Dunlop C, Howe A, Li D, Allen LN. The coronavirus outbreak: The central role of primary care in emergency preparedness and response. BJGP Open. doi.org/10.3399/bjgpopen20X101041
Allen LN, Barry E, Gilbert C, Honney R, Turner-Moss E. How to move from managing sick individuals to creating healthy communities. British Journal of General Practice. 2019. 69 (678): 8-9.Allen LN, Barkley S, De Maeseneer J, van Weel C, Kluge H, de Wit N, Greenhalgh T. Unfulfilled potential of primary care in Europe. BMJ. 2018. 363: k4469.
Allen LN. Leveraging primary care to address social determinants. Lancet Public Health. 2018. Oct 1;3(10):e466.
Allen LN, Dunlop C. Our role in addressing inequalities. BJGP 2017. 67 (656): 108.
Allen LN, Milton K. Beyond the consultation room: GPs and physical activity. Response to Brooks, Ahmad, Easton. Promoting physical activity: the general practice agenda. British Journal of General Practice. 2016. 66;(652):558-558.
Allen LN. Re: Poverty in the United Kingdom: from bad to worse. BMJ. 2014. 348:g3192.
Allen LN. Re: Why schools should promote students’ health and wellbeing. BMJ. 2014. 348:g3078
Allen LN. The Trump budget: what does it mean for global health? British Journal of General Practice. 2017. 67 (661): 358.
Allen LN, Christie GP The Emergence of Personalized Health Technology. J Medical Internet Research. 2016. 18;(5):e99.
Allen LN. Improving coordination of chronic disease management through bundled payment in the Netherlands. WHO Europe. 2015.
WHO (editor). Health in All Policies as part of the primary health care agenda on multisectoral action. Geneva: WHO. 2018.
WHO (co-author). Integrating public health and primary care. Geneva: WHO. 2018.
WHO (co-author). The private sector: universal health coverage and primary health care. Geneva: WHO. 2018.
WHO (editor). Progressing primary health care: a series of country case studies. Geneva: WHO. 2018.
- WHO (contributor and series editor). China: Multidisciplinary teams and integrated service delivery across levels of care. Geneva. WHO. 2018.
- WHO (contributor and series editor). Estonia: The development of family practice to support universal health coverage. Geneva: WHO. 2018.
- WHO (contributor and series editor). Ghana: Community engagement, financial protection and expanding rural access. Geneva: WHO. 2018.
- WHO (contributor and series editor). Islamic Republic of Iran: health sector reform. Geneva: WHO. 2018.
- WHO (contributor and series editor). Jamaica: Development of workforce for first level of care.Geneva: WHO. 2018.
- WHO (contributor and series editor). Kazakhstan: Use of mobile technologies in primary health care as part of state-run reforms in the health sector. Geneva: WHO; 2018
- WHO (contributor and series editor). Samoa: Engaging people for health promotion. Geneva: WHO; 2018.
- WHO (contributor and series editor). Sri Lanka: Community-based workforce development for maternal and child health. Geneva: WHO; 2018.
- WHO (contributor and series editor). Turkey: Family practice for quality in universal health coverage. Geneva: WHO; 2018
Global Vaccine Equity & Covid Response
Guest editor. BJGP Open. Special issue on 'Covid-19 and International Primary Care'. August 2020.
Allen L, Gopfert A, Honney R, Senior S, Barker J, Blennerhassett A, Kalmus Eliasz M, Yates T, Currie R. Letter: West’s vaccine rollout must not ignore needs of poorer nations. The Financial Times. January 14th, 2021.
Baatiema L, Sanuade O, Allen LN, Hategeka C, Abimbola S, Aikins A, Koram K, Kruk ME. Health system and policy adaptions to improve high-quality care for people living with non-communicable diseases during COVID-19 in low-middle income countries: a systematic scoping review. Journal of Global Health. 2023.
Allen LN. Are we complicit in vaccine nationalism? BJGP. May 2021.
Hwenda L, Shuaib F, Mugwagwa J, Ngozwana S, Hawari F, Bontani A, Allen LN, Currie J. The race for covid-19 vaccines: we must distribute vaccines equitably around the world. BMJ. March 12 2021.
Currie J, Allen L, Senior S, Honney R, Göpfert A, Eliasz MK. Accelerating global vaccination coverage of frontline workers and populations at-risk of severe COVID-19 complications. Public Health. 2021 Jan 29.
WHO (contributor). Pulse survey on continuity of essential health services during the COVID-19 pandemic: Interim report. 27 August 2020.
WHO. (contributor). Community needs, perceptions and demand: community assessment tool: A module from the suite of health service capacity assessments in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. February 2021.
WHO (contributor). Continuity of essential health services: Facility assessment tool: A module from the suite of health service capacity assessments in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. 2020.
WHO (contributor). Diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccine readiness, and other health products for COVID-19: A module from the suite of health service capacity assessments in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. 20 November 2020.
Clinical Medicine
McCormick I, Kim M, Jobe M, Badiie O, Bastawrous A, Allen LN, Hydara A, Mactaggart I, Burton M, Ramke J. Socioeconomic position and eye health outcomes: identifying inequality in rapid population-based surveys. BMJ Open. 2023.
Allen LN, Ratshaa R, Macleod D, Bolster N, Burton M, Kim M, Bastawrous B, Ho-Foster A, Chroston H, Nkomazana O. Protocol for an automated, pragmatic, embedded, adaptive randomised controlled trial: behavioural economics-informed mobile phone-based reminder messages to improve clinic attendance in a Botswanan school-based vision screening programme. Trials. 2022. 23: 6565.
Allen LN, Mackinnon S, Gordon I, Blane D, Marques AP, Gichuhi S, Mwangi A, Burton MJ, Bolster N, Macleod D, Kim M, Bastawrous A. Performance and resource requirements of in-person, voice call, and automated telephone-based socioeconomic data collection modalities for community-based health programs: a systematic review. JAMA Network Open. Nov 2022; 5(11):e2243883.
Allen LN, Mackinnon S, Gordon I, Blane D, Marques AP, Gichuhi S, Mwangi A, Burton MJ, Bolster N, Macleod D, Kim M, Bastawrous A. Performance and resource requirements of in-person versus voice call versus automated telephone-based socioeconomic data collection modalities for community-based health programmes: a systematic review protocol. BMJ Open. 2022 Apr 1;12(4):e057410.
Allen LN, Nkomazana O, Kumar Mishra S et al. Sociodemographic characteristics of community eye screening participants: protocol for cross-sectional equity analyses in Botswana, Kenya, and Nepal. Wellcome Open Research. 2022, 7:144.
Allen LN, Ratshaa R, Macleod D, Bolster N, Burton M, Kim M, Bastawrous B, Ho-Foster A, Chroston H, Nkomazana O. Protocol for an automated, pragmatic, embedded, adaptive randomised controlled trial: behavioural economics-informed mobile phone-based reminder messages to improve clinic attendance in a Botswanan schoolsbased vision screening programme. MedRxiv preprint.
Allen LN, Tsai A. An unusual case appendicitis. BMJ case reports. 2016. bcr2016214944.
Allen L, Lenton S, Fraser J, Sidebotham P. Improving the practice of child death overview panels – a paediatric perspective. Archives of Disease in Childhood. 2014. 99:193-196.
Allen LN. Mild Meningococcaemia, Pyrexia Protocols and a Problematic Public Health Response. BMJ Case Reports. 2014. bcr2013203003.
Allen L, Vickerstaff H, Collinson A. Vaccine-Preventable Disease Susceptibility in a British Pediatric Assessment Unit. J Infection Prevention. 2014. 15(6):230-233.
Allen L. Using routinely collected data to improve immunization histories. BMJ Quality Improvement Reports. 2013. 2(2); u203292.w1492
Guest editorship: Community Eye Health Journal
Guest co-editor with Prof Matthew Burton and Prof Clare Gilbert for a special issue on Primary Eye Health Care
Blog & Popular Press
Allen LN. Purpose and patient-centred medicine: The Death of Ivan Ilyich. BJGP Life. 8th October 2023.
Allen LN. Primary care under pressure. Letter to the editor. The Economist, print and online. 2nd Feb 2023.
Allen LN. Extending statins to millions more patients. Letter to the editor. The Times, print and online. 14th Jan 2023.
Allen LN, Bonyani A, Wild C, Leventhal O, Currie J. A Shot in the Foot: Re: Political economy of covid-19: extractive, regressive, competitive. Rapid response. BMJ. 26th January 2021.
Beaney T, Allen LN. What’s the role of general practice in addressing population health? The King's Fund. 15th Jan 2019.
Allen LN. The extraordinary everyday: Sorolla at the National Gallery. BJGP: review. 2019. 69 (683): 303-303.
Allen LN. Health systems converging around primary care reform. Oxford Global Health Systems: blog. 6th December 2018.
Allen LN. After Astana. The post-conference agenda for global primary health care. PLoS Global Health: blog. 30th October. 2019.
Allen LN. Primary Care 2.0. PLoS Global Health: blog. 9th October. 2018.
Allen LN. How to fix public health? A new breed of GP is needed. College of Medicine: blog. July 17 2018.
Allen LN. Contemporary issues in global health. PLoS Global Health: blog. 22nd May 2017
Allen L. Defunding the WHO was a calculated decision, not an impromptu tweet. The Conversation: article. 20th April 2020.
Allen LN. The importance of a GP. The Economist: letter. 12th July 2019, Print edition.
Allen L. How to use the £20bn NHS birthday gift: an alternative wish list. New Scientist: article. Online 4th July 2018. Print edition 14th July 2018.
Allen LN. A coffee-break conversation about part-time working. BJGP Life: article. 21st September 2018.
Allen L. Population health: Forget tech, modifying social structures should be our collective focus. University of Oxford Science blog. 6th December 2018.
Allen L. A grim winter looms for UK hospitals but there’s an easy cure. New Scientist: article. Online 28th November 2017, print edition 16th December 2017
Allen L What drove the WHO to make Robert Mugabe a goodwill ambassador? New Scientist. article. Online 26 October 2017.
Allen L. Healthy Alternatives. The Economist: Letter. 14th September 2017, print edition.
Allen LN. The tasty truth on trans fats. PLoS Global Health blog. 20th December 2016.
Allen L. Financial reform of the NHS. Letter to the editor. The Economist. 1st October 2016, print edition.
Allen L. Time is right for a global ban to end trans-fat health scandal. New Scientist: article. 7th September 2016, print edition
Allen L. Beyond drugs: the war on lifestyle disease needs new tactics. New Scientist: article. 13th August 2016, print edition
Allen L. Flying solo weakens chronic disease fight. SciDevNet: article. 5th July 2016
Allen L. Five reasons you shouldn’t have to pay to see a GP. The Independent: article. 28th January 2016.
Allen L. Why cutting spending on public health is a false economy. The Conversation: article. 25th November 2015.
Allen LN. Festive fiscal Measures. PLoS Global Health: blog. November 30th 2015Allen LN. Rejection of sugar tax is based on faulty logic. The Conversation: article. 2015
Allen LN, Kumbhar K, Jarvis J. Advocacy and Action: Catalysing grassroots social change in the face of NCDs. Young Professionals Chronic Disease Network. 2015.
Upcoming
Allen LN et al. Identifying priority non-communicable disease interventions for Yemen. World Bank
Allen LN et al. A protocol for the comparison of telephone and in-person interview modalities: duration, richness, and costs in the context of exploring determinants of equitable access to community health services in Meru, Kenya. International Journal of Qualitative Methods.
Haft H. Allen LN. Primary Care and Public Health: Both essential for national health security and population health. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.
Allen LN, Wild C, Loffreda G, Kak M, Aghilla M, Emahbes T, Elsaeh H. Implementing the Noncommunicable Disease Best Buys in Libya. In Herbst C, Kak M, Hafeti (Eds). Non Communicable Diseases in Libya. World Bank, Washington DC. In Press.
Baatiema L, Aikina A, Koram K, Kunfah S, Allen LN, Abimbola S, Kruk M. Frontline health workers' experiences of challenges and coping strategies in providing care for people living with non-communicable diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana: a qualitative study. Under review.
Breda J, Allen LN et al. Obesity during and after the COVID-19 data revolution. Under review.
Allen LN, Wickramasinghe K, Rayner M. Political guide to eliminating trans fats from the human food supply. WHO. Under review.
Acknowledged expert advisor: Primary care and public health services: specification of health promotion and disease prevention services in primary care. WHO. In press.
Caleyachetty R, Oyekan A, Allen LN. What is global primary care? Under review.
Peer review
I regularly peer-review for major journals including the Lancet Global Health, BMJ Global Health, the WHO Bulletin, the Milbank Quarterly, the International Journal of Epidemiology, and the BJGP.
I have also peer-reviewed books, book chapters, and book proposals for Oxford University Press, RCGP press, Taylor & Francis, and the European Observatory.
Bio.
Experience and Education
Education
I studied medicine at Bristol University with an intercalated BSc Hons in International Health (top of class).
Whilst working as a hospital doctor in Cornwall I completed my postgraduate certificate in clinical education at Plymouth University and became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I was nominated for outstanding clinical trainee of the year.
In 2015 I completed my Masters in Public Health at Harvard, specialising in Global Health. Whilst living in Boston I studied at Harvard Business School, the Kennedy School of Government, Oxford University (on a British Heart Foundation scholarship), and MIT. I also completed the Harvard Public Health Leadership Programme.
In 2016 I won an Oxford University GP Academic Clinical Fellowship funded by the NIHR. I gained my membership of the Royal College of GPs in 2020, scoring in the top 10% of the country for my professional exams. In the same year I completed my postgraduate diploma in health research at Oxford's Department of Primary Care Health Sciences with distinction.
In 2021 I joined LSHTM as a Fellow in the Department of Clinical Research. I submitted my staff PhD by publication in May 2024. Along with my PHC Group co-leads Luisa Pettigrew, Jo Exley, and Hannah Page, I was awarded the 2023 prize for exceptional contribution to education to improve health worldwide.In 2024 I re-joined Oxford's primary care department as co-director of Global Primary Care and Future Health Systems with Prof Michael Kidd. I lead cross-departmental research and lead the Global Health Challenges module on the Global Healthcare Leadership masters at the Said Business School; a kind of MBA/MPH run in collaboration with the Department of Primary Care.
Experience
Healthier Systems Ltd
Director: August 2020 - present
- Founder and director of this global health consulting company, convening interdisciplinary multinational teams to provide technical assistance to WHO, the World Bank, and LMIC governments.
- We are an ethical and environmentally sustainable company with an emphasis on training new global health professionals and seeking to advance health for all.
- Our website is here.
British Journal of General Practice
Editorial Board Member: April 2017 - present
- Board member at the world's leading primary care journal, helping to set the direction of the journal and strategically respond to emerging issues. I regularly peer-review and referee contentious papers.
- Guest editor of BJGP Open, summer 2020, managing a call on covid-19 and international health system responses.
- I chair sessions at the BJGP research conference ever year.
World Bank
Consultant: November 2020 - present
- Technical consultant supporting the Libyan government in developing their primary health care system.
- Lead consultant for a mixed-methods project developing an NCD implementation strategy, based on a systematic review and interviews with key government policymakers.
- Consultant for a project supporting Yemen in rationalising its health spending during this current peiod of de-escalation.
- Lead primary health care advisor to the Climate & Health group, including country support to Zambia and Liberia.
World Health Organisation
Consultant: June 2015 - present
- Leading a project to assess how international health organisations operationalise primary health care in their corporate strategy documents.
- Supporting the Global NCD Platform to publish a series of ten research papers on multisectoral action and the commercial determinants of health.
- Lead author on the Models of Care chapter for the WHO PHC Primer. Co-author for the chapter on definitions and frameworks.
- Moderator for the virtual rountable at the 2023 WHO International Conference on Primary Health Care: 'PHC as a platform to advance health and disease programme objectives'
- WHO focal point to the World Bank for the 2023 Global Report on NCDs.
- 'Models of Care' chapter lead author for the WHO global Primary Health Care textbook, co-edited with the European Health Observatory. Co-author for the 'PHC Definitions' chapter.
- Supporting the Global NCD Platform in the publication of eight research papers on the global health UN reporting infrastructure.
- Expert review panel member for the development of the WHO guidance document "Primary care and public health services: specification of health promotion and disease prevention services in primary care".
- Consultant to the G7, World Bank, OECD, Gavi, the Global Fund, and WHO co-leading the drafting of the 'Universal Knowledge Initiative' to strengthen global primary health care.
- Leading a project on NCD policy implementation in Europe.
- Leading a project on implementation research for NCD prevention.
- Supporting WHO Europe's work on integrating primary care and public health.
- Supporting the global PHC monitoring and evaluation framework, modelling the collateral damage of Covid-19, and identifying optimal pathways to re-open health systems during the pandemic.
- Rapporteur for three WHO Euro conferences on NCD disinformation from 2020-2021.
- Rapporteur for the WHO Euro expert meeting on Covid-19 and obesity.
- Senior methods advisor on research collaborations between WHO Euro and the Turkish and Russian governments assessing national NCD policy approaches.
- Supported the health ministries of Turkey, Portugal, and Russia to model the impact of population-level interventions on chronic disease mortality.
- Senior methods advisor on research papers using PRIME macro-simulation modelling for population-level NCD policies in Portugal and the Eurasian Economic Union.
- Expert advisor working with WHO Europe to support Central Asian countries in developing primary health care systems that respond to local needs and provide comprehensive services, including health promotion and primary prevention.
- Rapporteur for the Moscow-based workshop on strengthening capacity for noncommunicable disease implementation research in the WHO European Region.
- Methodological support for a research project on industry promotion of e-cigarettes in Russia.
- Coordinating editor for the country case studies series and core background documents for the Astana Declaration on primary health care and the Global Conference on Primary Health Care, working with government ministries and academics from around the world.
- Developed terms of reference and conceptual work for the Quality of Care project for WHO Euro.
- Supporting ongoing health care reform efforts in WHO member states, including leading the redesign of national primary care systems.
Faculty of Public Health
International lead: Public Health and Primary Care SIG: June 2018 - present
- Strategy and research leadership.
- Lobbying the RCGP, Faculty of Public Health, and UK politicians for equitable and evidence-based health policy that protects populations made vulnerable by social injustice.
- Working with public health professionals and primary care workers to advance models of population-level prevention-oriented primary care.
Center for Indonesia's Strategic Development Initiatives
Primary Health Care advisor: August 2023
- Guest speaker at the PHC Transformation Masterclass for Indonesia's PHC leaders
New South Wales International Expert Advisory Committee
Primary care advisor: October 2021
- Provided evidence to the New South Wales International Expert Advisory Committee for the critical intelligence unit's session on the role of primary care in the COVID-19 response.
Green Templeton College, University of Oxford
Research Associate: May 2018 - October 2021
- Gave the keynote GTC lecture on 'Challenges in Global Health'.
- Independent work on international primary care reform.
- Presented work at the GTC complexity conference.
Duke University - Centre for Policy Impact in Global Health
Primary care expert: November 2020 - Feb 2021
- Methods consultant and Expert Working Group member for the BMGF-funded Investment Case on Primary Health Care with Seek Development and the Josep Lang Institute.
Oxford University and NHS joint appointment
GP Academic Clinical Fellow: August 2016 - August 2020
- One day per week as a salaried family doctor at Hedena Health GP Surgery.
- Research position in Oxford's Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, working in Prof Trish Greenhalgh's Interdisciplinary Research in Health Sciences group.
- Set up the PrimaPrev network which has merged with the Faculty of Public Health special interest group on Public Health and Primary Care.
- Regularly teaching GP trainees, junior doctors, and Oxford medical students and lecturing on a couple of Oxford university undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
WHO Global Coordination Mechanism on Non-Communicable Diseases - Geneva
Consultant: April - June 2016, and February - August 2017
- Lead for the research and innovation strategy.
- Developed a number of nascent research projects into high profile publications.
Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford
Research assistant: July 2015 – August 2017
- Based at the Centre on Population Approaches for NCD Prevention.
- Lead author for a number of WHO commissioned systematic reviews and policy documents.
- Worked on poverty and health, sugar taxes, international trans fat legislation, and WHO 'Best Buys'.
Geneva Graduate Institute and Rabin Martin - Geneva
Researcher: Jan 2015
- Policy memo on the health economy and Universal Health Care for an international project.
- Consulted with multiple partners within the UN and other external agencies.
Harvard Health Systems Cluster
Research associate: 2014 - 2015
- Policy analysis, development of case profiles and training materials for WHO flagship health systems course.
- Developed a Harvard case study for the NHS executive leadership course.
Young Professionals Chronic Disease Network
Practicum Fellow - Program lead for global NCD advocacy network: 2014 - 2015
- Strategy lead for the international network of health advocates
- High-level advocacy at WHO executive board meeting in Geneva, January 2015
- Co-author of Global NCD advocacy handbook
Eating Disorders Coalition - Washington DC
Lobbyist (Harvard STRIPED Scholar): Oct 2014
- Successfully lobbied US senate and congress to change stance on healthy-weight policy
- I have also lobbied at the British House of Lords, the House of Commons, and the European Parliament on health issues
Christian Aid - Bristol, UK
Pressure Points Representative: 2006 - 2007
- Advocate and fundraiser for environmental sustainability and social justice
In the media
The New Scientist
Interview
Interviewed on the implications of the performance of OpenAI's newest model on a battery of clinical reasoning tests.
Is AI finally ready to replace your doctor?
(Spoiler: no)
Published 19th December 2024
The Times
Interview
Interviewed for a piece on the likely impact of robot masseur for managing chronic back pain.
Could a robot therapist ease my chronic back pain?
(Spoiler: stick to NHS-approved options like gentle exercise, heat pads, and physiotherapy... at least until we have trial evidence)
Published 16th May 2023
The i Newspaper
Interview
Interviewed for a piece on the role that AI could play in primary care.
Could your next GP be a robot?
Published 11th May 2023
The i Newspaper
Interview
Interviewed on a piece reporting the new NHS England contract being imposed on GPs and the prospect of strike action.
GPs considering strike action that could see surgeries close and appointments cancelled
Published March 11th 2023
Politico
Interview
Interviewed for a piece on comparative international health system models.
Is it time for the UK to (whisper it) ditch the NHS?
Published February 6th 2023
The BMJ
Interview
I'm one of the health system experts & front-line doctors interviewed for this piece on NHS health system reform
What can be done to ease today’s pressures in the NHS?
Published 16th January 2023
The i Newspaper
Interview
Interviewed about how and why deaths rates remain above the five-year average in the UK.
'UK’s high death rates post-Covid could last at least two years, health experts warn'
Published January 1st 2023
Amnesty Magazine
Interview
Interviewed by Amnesty International's magazine on my experience running the 2022 London Marathon and raising £5k for human rights
Winter 2022: Issue 15, p38
Boston Globe: STAT
Interview
Interviewed about America's commercial NCD policy performance by Nick Florko for the Boston Globe's health and medicine publication
'The U.S. is terrible at keeping businesses from worsening public health, experts say'
Published 6th October 2022
SciDevNet
Interview
Interviewed for a report on the latest WHO tobacco report
Tobacco taxes reducing consumption rates, says WHO. 19th November 2021.
New Scientist
Interview
The IM-SEEN/FAIR access project was featured in this piece on novel trial design by Carrie Arnold. Our amazing Wellcome & NIHR-funded project was a partnership between LSHTM, Peek Vision, the University of Botswana, COESCA, and the Kenyan Ministry of Health.
The controversial new clinical trials that promise faster results
Published 20th October 2021
Global NCD Policy implementation
News coverage of my research
LSHTM News: "Corporate influence linked to slow implementation of public health policies globally"
SciDevNet: "Big business, poverty, autocracy ‘hinder health policy’" - included interview
Open Access Government: "Scientists find link between health policies and political favouritism"
Svenska Dagbladet: "Slow fight against junk food and tobacco 'obviously worrying; [Swedish]"
News Medical: "Implementation of WHO's recommended public health policies has been slow globally, says study"The Swaddle: "Study Shows How Corporate and Political Interests Threaten Public Health"
Based on the paper:
Co-authored with Simon Wigley and Hampus Holmer.
Wall Street Journal
Interview
Interview for this piece on the rise in covid hospitalisations among younger adults in the UK by Joanna Sugden. Sharing a primary care perspective
U.K. Coronavirus Variant Probed for Increased Risk to Younger People
BBC News
TV interview
Discussing the implications of delaying the delivery of the second covid vaccines dose to primary care patients, in order to minimise hospital admissions and deaths. Based on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation statement and the UK joint CMO letter.
Broadcast 7pm January 3rd
Available on BBC iPlayer
Calls to include pregnant women in trials
Newspaper and radio coverage
Reaction to the Lancet Global Health article calling for trails to include pregnant women when testing substances know to be safe in pregnancy
Jack radio
BBC News
TV Interview
Interviewed about the BMJ/HSJ joint editorial and what it means for government.
Broadcast 5pm December 15th
Available on BBC iPlayer
BBC News
TV interview
Speaking on the political trade-offs surrounding the planned lockdown relaxation over Christmas.
Broadcast 6pm November 24th
Available on BBC iPlayer
Covid-19 mass-testing in the UK
Expert opinion
Wired Magazine
Interview
Interviewed along with several other public health experts on how I was adapting to covid restrictions in this piece by Will Bedingfield
We asked eight public health experts what Christmas will be like
Published 6th November 2020
China Global Television
TV interview segment
Live TV interview for current affairs new programme The Link on the state of multilateralism in global health
Broadcast (to >100 countries) 4th June 2020
Note: I was paid £80 for this segment and donated this sum in its entirety to Amnesty International Hong Kong
Global NCD Policy implementation
Interviews, radio, and podcast
My work on global implementation of WHO-backed NCD policies has been covered in a number of outlets:
Reuters: Countries implementing about half of WHO recommendations. 24th December 2019.
Iran Daily: Half of WHO-recommended policies to reduce chronic diseases are not put into practice. December 6th, 2019.
Lancet Global Health podcast with Mandip Aujla
Interview with ABC News Spain
Interview with PBS Radio
BBC Radio 4
Radio interview
GP Online
Syndicated article
My King's Fund work on population health and primary care with Dr Tom Beaney was syndicated in GP Online:
What role can general practice play in addressing population health?
Sandoz Magazine
Profile
BBC Radio Merseyside
Radio interview
Appendicitis case report
Newspaper coverage
The report I wrote with Alison Tsai on a case of E vermicularis appendicitis was covered in:
Declaration of Interests.
Applying the same standards to myself that I expect of others
I worked in two university bars during medical school. I have never received money or in-kind goods or services from tobacco, food and beverage, gambling, or firearms industries, nor conducted any research wholly or part-funded by industry.
Investments
- I am the founder and majority shareholder of Healthier Systems Ltd, a global health consultancy seeking to support health for all.
- I have no other stocks, shares, or investments.
- Unfortunately, both my NHS pension and Oxford University pension funds continue to invest in damaging industries. I have lobbied both to disinvest. Oxford is making (slow) progress.
Main employers
- University of Oxford
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
- World Health Organisation
- World Bank
- NHS, including secondment to Public Health England
- Hedena Health GP Surgery, Oxford
Short-term contracts
- The Health Financing Institute: Advising on- and writing for a project to expand access to NCD medicines in Africa using a novel blended finance instrument.
- BMGF, via Duke University and Seek Development.
Standalone payments
- The New Scientist: I am paid ~£140 per article.
- NHS Collaborate: I was paid £375 to deliver the keynote NHS 2030 address on the future of primary care in January 2019.
- China Global TV: I was paid a £80 fee for an interview on global health multilateralism. I donated this money to Amnesty International Hong Kong.
University jobs
- Two part-time bar jobs.
- I was a part-time Christian Aid 'Pressure Points Rep', campaigning for environmental sustainability, fair trade, and social justice.
Politics
- I have voted for four of the UK's main political parties; the Green party, the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives, and Labour, with a tendency to pragmatic centrism.
- In 2018 I joined the Conservative party and stood as a local counsellor in one of Oxford's poorest areas on a platform of population health reform. During this time I was able to meet with senior cabinet ministers and lobby them on the social detrminants of health. I renounced my membership in 2019.
Faith
- I follow Jesus and I'm married to Jo, a dynamic vicar in the Church of England.
Contact.
© 2016