Avril Lee

What a day. Great discussions, insightful round tables and the opportunity to meet great people at the 8th #pharmasocialmedia conference yesterday in London. We spoke and heard a lot about about pharma in social media, HCP engagement and patient comms. Here are some points I’d like to share: 🧍‍♀️Social media is an incredible asset, but many still haven't fully adopted it. And no, industry regulation and compliance aren't the major obstacle. 💪AI is great, but will definitely not be replacing human content creators soon. 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️HCP engagement can be achieved as long as you give them what they want and need. Do you know what it is? 👂🏽Social listening was and still is one of the most important things digital and marketing professionals must do #Hashtags - don't work like we thought they would And last but not least: People. People. Not patients. *I will be sharing and elaborating on these topics in my next talks and workshops.

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For my 2025 predictions for health for PRWeek UK, I wanted to take a more global outlook: "It’s the end and beginning of replenishment cycles for the Global Fund. I expect we’ll also see a lot of players focus on AMR, neglected tropical diseases and vector-borne disease, particularly given the intersection of climate change and human health. And the biggest challenge of all, likely exacerbated by recent events in Trump being re-elected and his allyship with Elon Musk, in the form of mis/disinformation and what this means for progress in health in general – no matter what sector you represent. As communicators we carry a lot of responsibility in terms of how we produce trustworthy information with integrity.” #globalhealth #2025predictions #healthcommunications Freuds+ https://lnkd.in/eMqk667b

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We are embarking on a groundbreaking journey to address healthcare disparities for people of color and the delayed diagnosis of endometriosis alongside Endometriosis UK / Cysters Despite widely cited statistics, it's evident they don't accurately represent communities of color. We've tirelessly applied for funding to conduct this research through a community lens but faced rejection on all four attempts, revealing a reluctance among funders to invest in uncovering healthcare inequalities. Undeterred, we're undertaking this research voluntarily, driven by our commitment to inclusive healthcare. Our hope is that the findings will catalyze policymakers to prioritize funding for impactful research on all menstrual health conditions. Join us in 'Investigating Delayed Diagnosis of Endometriosis Among People of Colour in the UK' to ensure marginalized voices are heard in healthcare discussions. Let's close the gap in capturing the experiences of marginalized groups. Participate in our survey without allyship we will never make the case for people of colour so we appreciate you support. Survey Link: https://lnkd.in/e_JVB273 #endometriosis #peopleofcolour Sarah Harris, MPH Emma Cox Dr. Aziza Sesay Nighat Arif Itunuoluwa Johnson-Sogbetun Egality Health

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While women make up the majority of the global health workforce, decision-making roles remain overwhelmingly male-dominated. Zahra’s insights on creating gender-transformative health systems highlight how vital it is to address this imbalance—not just for equity but for better health outcomes overall. Her advocacy for integrating gender and intersectionality into every aspect of health systems research is inspiring! It’s a reminder that achieving real change requires us to not just see the gaps but actively work to close them. What steps do you think are most critical to make health systems more gender-aware and equitable? Health Systems Global ReBUILD for Resilience HERD International Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

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The launch is fast approaching. In two days' time, we'll have lift off on a new healthcare PR venture. We'll be daring to redefine communications, with a focus on the science of human emotion. With the Pioneering Patient Podcast, we will bring stories to inspire, provoke thought and potentially help to change the treatment landscape. In this teaser, you will hear Jens Naeumann of Initiative Herzklappe e.V. explain that people with heart valve disease subconsciously try to avoid anything associated with the diagnosis because of fear of the consequences. Keep watching this space for more announcements. #patientstories #patientadvocacy Global Heart Hub Global Alliance For Patient Access Meine Herzklappe Heart Valve Voice Heart Valve Voice Canada Ellen Ross Karen Padilla Teresa Glynn hearts4heart Neil Johnson AEPOVAC Cecilia Salvador Elena Gallego Díez-Canseco Cuore Nostro Alberto Colangelo Eleonora Selvi Gil Meltzer Valéria Fernandes Fernanda de Carvalho Diego Freri Stephanie Bunten Scott Clark Graeme Oliver Guillaume Molinier Neil Betteridge Konstantina Boumaki Elisabeth Dupont Wil Woan Callum Ferguson Phill Read Celina Gorre Rhonda Monroe Melanie Klenke Trystan George Clara Baker Stephen Porthouse

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Care for lupus patients is evolving, with innovation accelerating in recent years. At AstraZeneca, we’re working closely with experts such as Dr Ian Bruce and Dr Julia Weinmann-Menke, who recently shared their insightful opinions on the following in an EMJ article: • Current state of SLE care • Recent updates to clinical recommendations elevating earlier intervention and steroid-tapering • Achieving remission as a key care goal Read this interesting piece here: https://bit.ly/4hl8yNM #MakeLupusVisible #TransformLupus

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An insightful day at the Internal Comms Conference today, and it was great to join a panel discussion in the afternoon. The shifting view of our function as a strategic enabler presents so many opportunities - but we need to be ruthless with prioritisation to engage colleagues and avoid overwhelm. We discussed LOADS, including: 💡 how to prepare internal comms for the future 💡being inclusive in a hybrid context 💡 how we continue to make our budgets and capacity work in a landscape of competing priorities. Handily held right in #Southwark, where much of our work is focused. #internalcommsconference #internalcomms #corporatecomms

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ONCE AGAIN - more research, more insights and more action is needed to resolve health inequities https://lnkd.in/es5Ru-eh

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Good health is an asset that can create enormous benefits for people, societies, economies and the planet. It is critical that health is viewed as a strategic long-term investment that helps economic growth and environmental sustainability. AstraZeneca is proud to be contributing towards this goal by: 🤝Mobilising partners within and beyond our sector to improve health outcomes while reducing the environmental and economic burden of care, with collaborations such as the Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience.  ⏳ Supporting a transition towards a model of care that focuses on screening, early detection and treatment.  🧬Harnessing our cutting-edge scientific innovations to deliver next generation mechanisms and modalities of treatment where needed, within specialist care pathways. These themes and more were raised by Michel Demaré, Chair of the Board AstraZeneca, in his article in ‘Health: a Political Choice - Building Resilience and Trust’. He stresses that the magnitude of the challenge demands a collaborative approach, combined with sustained and strategic investment. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/eauGv-_U

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How would you rate your company's readiness and prioritisation of environmental sustainability? Thanks to PharmaTimes Media Ltd for giving November's front page to my article for Healthcare Communications Association (HCA) which shares insights from interviews HCA colleagues and I conducted with Biopharma Comms and Agency leaders on their progress towards environmental sustainability. There are positive actions but a mixed picture on progress overall. Although not a detailed operational benchmarking, the variation in reported readiness and prioritisation was striking - by both biopharma companies and agencies. We also recommend that greater partnership is needed between agencies and biopharma clients and procurement teams on accreditation and collectively achieving net zero goals. The article is below. The full report, Going Green, will be published on the HCA website in November - https://the-hca.org/ Thanks to HCA Foresight Committee colleagues Charlotte Maule, Jo Taylor, Paul French, Rhiannon Meaden, and Mike Dixon. And thanks to John Pinching #pharma #sustainability #netzero https://lnkd.in/e9MSz5BG

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Although I can appreciate the advice to "Take care of yourself," "Listen to your body," and "Identify the proper healthcare." My challenge is that this doesn't necessarily help women who are often not seen in general (WOC), let alone when they need support (financially, emotionally, educationally, etc.) around a health situation like menopause. I want to get to a place where the conversations, education, and empowerment are extended further down and across and include holistic & supplemental ways to offset what isn't always affordable or accessible. And lastly, I hope the physical and emotional/mental challenges that are brought on by #hysterectomies are included in the #menopause talk. #personalstory #mystory #WOC #Advocate #souldeepmoment UPDATE: After listening to the full discussion, thank you for the representation, Omisade Burney-Scott, for the representation. I am happy also to hear that hysterectomies are included in the talk. Overall, the talk was raw and thorough.

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Help celebrate AI visionaries leading women’s health – nominations now open Our colleagues at Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) are supporting the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to launch “AI Visionaries: Leading Health Innovation for Women” – this campaign aims to celebrate UK pioneers behind groundbreaking advancements in women’s health and gender equity through artificial intelligence. Why does this matter? - Despite advancements, women face disparities in medical treatment and underrepresentation in the technology sector. Recent research has found that: 60% of women report their health issues aren’t taken seriously. - Only around a quarter of the global AI workforce is female and there are fewer females in leadership positions. - In three conditions primarily affecting women, females accounted for just 40% of clinical trial participants. - 1% of global health research funding targets female-specific conditions. How to contribute These findings indicate the potential for change in healthcare practices and the AI industry, our KSS colleagues and the DHSC are seeking to recognise and promote individuals and teams making real change in this field. By doing so, they hope to inspire the next generation of pioneers and address the gender gap in both healthcare and technology. Nominations are welcome from individuals and teams working in diverse backgrounds, including healthcare, technology, data science, finance, research, and public policy – they can be individuals, teams, or networks. Those selected will be featured in a celebratory booklet and invited to the national event Responsible AI: Women and Healthcare Conference, which will be hosted jointly by DHSC and NHS in January 2025. Nominations close on Wednesday 13th November, 5pm. To nominate yourself or a colleague / team, please visit https://lnkd.in/eh2xtd9k 

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EXPANDING THE FRONTIER OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION   We are likely to assume that inclusion has been overflogged, but I think that there are areas of some people in the minority that have been ignored or not taken into consideration. A lot has been said and done about diversity, equity, and inclusion, especially around gender and the integration of physically challenged individuals into the scheme of things. Still, some groups of people are excluded.   Hence, we need to take a holistic approach to inclusion, ensuring that the vast majority of people, if not all, are included, several categories of people will still be excluded. I want to use two scenarios to illustrate this conversation. The first is on events and public functions, including professional body events, galas, and dinners, the event planners, management companies, and organisers often ignore the fact that not everyone is favourably disposed to alcoholic drinks.   Your company may pay as much as N1 to N5 million for a table at a comedy show, industry award, or gala night, and you discover that all the drinks, especially wines, are alcoholic. What happens to having a balance by providing both alcoholic and non-alcoholic wines for the guests at the table to choose from? Can we also consider people who prefer sugar-free alternatives because of certain health conditions or those who prefer natural, healthy drinks? We need to do better in the spirit of inclusion.   The second scenario concerns toilets and lavatories in public places like hotels, airports, eateries, banks, etc., where only tissue paper is provided for cleaning, overlooking the fact that some people prefer to wash with water. It costs less than N5,000 to install a hand spray shower for those who like water over tissue paper, yet this is not available in most of these places mentioned above.   In summary, we need to do more in the spirit of diversity, equity and inclusion to ensure that some people are not alienated and excluded. Let us expand the frontier into more areas beyond gender and disability.   Thanks for taking the time to read, and I look forward to your contribution in the comment session.   Gracias!        

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Echoing the sentiments of my Black colleagues, I am not surprised by the findings from the UK Black Comms Network "One Step Forward, Two Steps Black" survey supported by Opinium PRWeek UK. Two in three Black & mixed-race PR professionals are considering leaving the PR and communications industry, and a staggering 82% still face microaggressions and subtle, indirect racial discrimination at work. It's frustrating to see Black & mixed-race professionals receive less praise for their work and lack visibility at senior leadership levels. This is an issue I've often discussed on my podcast, where I spotlight Black, Asian, and ethnic global majority PR and comms professionals who share their experiences and challenges. These stories and statistics highlight the urgent need for a more inclusive and equitable industry. I've said it before we need to see real change, the system isn't working. You can check out the research here: https://lnkd.in/eB9qR_5J #Diversity #Inclusion #PR #Communications #OneStepForwardTwoStepsBlack

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