Leyla Asadi, MD PhD

Heartbroken by Helen Branswell’s passing. I always enjoyed talking with her and reading her reporting. She sought the truth, lifted up science, and asked questions that mattered. Her loss leaves a tremendous void in journalism and public health. @statnews.com www.statnews.com/2026/10/13/h...

If you’re nice to me, one day I’ll ask AI to write about you in the style of Richard Riley talking about William Wells.

Some highlights (imho) of the top 46 drugs accessed via Canada's Special Access Program💊 in 2025: Clofazimine at #3 (536 requests) Iloprost Trometamol #12 (210) Albendazole #19 (146) Bedaquiline #24 (127) Flucytosine #28 (120) Pretomanid #43 (59) 👀Bonus SAP "drug": Medicinal Leeches #33 (94)

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This makes sense to me and I believe we continue to underestimate the impact of “routine” respiratory virus—both in terms of the direct initial impact and the long term sequelae.

If only someone could figure out how to make milk safe to drink! It'd be such a big deal the process would be named after them.

Idaho health officials are investigating how nearly 60 people got sick after drinking raw milk in the past two weeks. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare says they didn't name two dairies potentially linked to the outbreak “because this is a potential risk for any raw milk producer.”

In persons with HIV and barriers to adhering to antiretroviral therapy, a long-acting injectable treatment (monthly cabotegravir plus rilpivirine) resulted in better virologic control than standard oral ART. Full phase 3 LATITUDE trial results: nej.md/4qFyjMm #MedSky #IDSky

“If I knew this could be the outcome, I still wouldn't have given my son the vaccine.” This was said by the mother of a child in South Carolina who has been hospitalized with measles encephalitis since January. I tried out several sentences for this spot, but none could capture my thoughts.

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Gooo Blue Jays goooo!!!!!! 🇨🇦

At the 12 second mark, that camera operator called an audible and just said "fuck it, the lane is clear, no tripping hazards, I'm winning a Sports Emmy for cinematography right now"

I’ve found my forever meme.

Today I’m thankful for a Thanksgiving dinner with Persian accents, in the warm and loving home of my mother and father—who, though not healthy, is still very much able to enjoy the company of his family. #Thanksgiving #CanadianThanksgiving

Some of these people have now been fired and rehired TWICE since January. The current state of dysfunction is mind boggling.

Terribly sad news about one of the greats. Diane Keaton has died at 79. people.com/diane-keaton...

The first reports of what would eventually be called AIDS and its causative agent identified as HIV were published in the MMWR in 1981 alerting health care and public health systems across the country. A tremendous loss for public health.

Hauntingly beautiful achingly authentic Nordic masterpiece for the longer nights #ofmonstersandmen #fruitbat youtube.com/watch?v=rXC6...

“Amid the smoke bombs and screams that ricocheted throughout a South Shore building last month during a massive military-style immigration raid, one man heard a knock on his door. On the other side was a mom and her 7-year-old daughter, pleading for his help.”

The editors of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) were apparently fired today. The precursor to MMWR began in 1878 to address emerging public health threats rapidly. We are not “great” without it. We are vulnerable to threats from sporadic foodborne illness to bioterrorism.

Is it cancel culture when they threaten to kill you? www.nj.com/news/2025/10...

I hate how accurate this is

Terrible news for the United States and the world. It’s heartbreaking to see such a valuable institution (and its experts!!) decimated like this.

This 🧵 is long so please bear with me. It is compiles evidence in a historical timeline on how effective #COVIDVaccines are. When a pandemic ends we quickly and easily forget the tools that got us out of it. So here is my labour day gift to you prompted by this headline.

So regressive & dystopian it feels like, um, The Handmaid’s Tale…👇 “…public school board is yanking more than 200 books from its library…” “…including literary classics such as author Margaret Atwood’s ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’” MAGA Alberta: edmontonjournal.com/news/edmonto....

As an elder millennial, I still love stomp-ho-hey music. www.newyorker.com/culture/infi...

I went to put my shoes on this morning and there was a bouncy ball in my shoe. One day, there won’t be any more bouncy balls in my shoes. And that made me sad.

Iranian freedom fighters Hossein and Hassan Ronaghi have been kidnapped and are being held by the Islamic regime as it cracks down. Hassan was kidnapped last week, and Hossein was kidnapped yesterday. The health of their parents, who have already been through years of hell, is suffering greatly.

These are the Iranian voices we should be listening to — Nobel laureates calling for peace. #Iran #Israel #CeasefireNow

War is horrific. It should be a last resort. Every life matters and deserves protection. These may sound trite, but we seem to have forgotten. #iran #israel #gaza #ukraine

The pandemic was overwhelming and deeply personal. As an ID doc, I thought maybe I could help. But this moment — with rising authoritarianism in the US, war in Iran, genocide in Gaza, and public health under attack — feels dizzying, overwhelming, and helpless 😟

Hydrating like a fish. www.drinkbriine.ca

My Haitian bestie and I are enjoying this….

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I was initially going to say: “The US gets the best and brightest of Iran. Let them come to Canada instead!” (which is true) But bans like this don’t just restrict travel. They strip people of their humanity. Reduce them to their govt & passports. And teach us to see others as lesser & unworthy.

Only useful info I’ve seen on twitter in forever… #oilers #stanleycupfinals #nhl

The news may no longer be in the headlines but the impact of USAID and PEPFAR funding cuts continues in communities across Africa. Brilliant reporting in Science Magazine on the communities affected in Eswatini and South Africa. www.science.org/content/arti...

Such courage and such vision. Panahi continues to show the world the pain, beauty, and defiance of Iranian life and art. #Cannes2025 #womenlifefreedom

This is absolutely terrible news. With the shifting regulatory climate (i.e., antivax ratfuckery), Moderna has withdrawn their application for their eagerly anticipated COVID-flu combo vaccine. This vaccine offered better protection than getting each shot separately. h/t @merz.bsky.social

There are no words left.

Trump is attempting to ethnically cleanse Gaza www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...

The new Neil Halloran documentary on Smallpox has completely changed how I see the RFK Jr. version of the world. Neil (softly) argues that realizing that disease isn't the fault of the sick /or/ the fault of the Gods ushered in a new future where we felt the authority to care for each other.

Heaaaartbreaking loss for the Oilers 💔 0.4 seconds! Anything with <1 second left shouldn’t even count.

BILL GATES: “The picture of the world’s richest man killing the world’s poorest children is not a pretty one.” @financialtimes.com www.ft.com/content/bdd9...

King Charles will be opening Canada's parliament later this month — the first time the English monarch has done so in 50 years. He'll be delivering PM Carney's first speech from the throne. It's a clear bit of symbolism as Canada tries to re-orient back towards Europe and way from America.

This is so horrifying and tragic. The Filipino community is a vital part of the fabric of Canada. Sending love, strength, and support to all the family and friends & immense gratitude to the first responders. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Have you seen the amazing speaker lineup for the DoM's Annual Update in Adult Medicine? It's going to be an exciting day of learning—don’t miss it! createsend.com/t/d-E80311DE... @albertadoctors.bsky.social @albertanurses.bsky.social @abhealthservices.bsky.social

After freezing all grants to Columbia University last week, the National Institutes of Health is now stopping grant and contract payments to Harvard University and four other universities. scim.ag/4ikYp2T