Blog posts

Healthcare cybersecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic: a threat too important to forget

By Saira Ghafur, Guy Martin, Niki O’Brien, Ivor Williams, Kelsey Flott and Ara Darzi, Institute of Global Health Innovation

As the global healthcare community has been consumed with managing the COVID-19 pandemic, a wave of cyber-attacks against healthcare organisations has emerged. Cybercriminals and hackers are upping the ante in creating more havoc and exploiting the fear and confusion that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it. The threat is global: Interpol even issued a warning signalling the need for healthcare organisations to be vigilant and aware of the heightened risk of cyber-attacks.

Tackling Type 2 Diabetes in North West London

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is one of the greatest challenges currently facing the NHS, with growing levels of obesity contributing to a large increase in the numbers of people with the condition. The disease can lead to serious long-term health problems – including heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and sight loss – which have an enormous impact on the lives of patients and their families. And it is these complications that account for most of the healthcare activity and cost associated with T2D.

It’s people who shape our research – here’s how

Research is our bread and butter at IGHI. It lets us explore problems, ask questions, test ideas, make mistakes and learn from them. And after all that, find the right solutions to the issues we’re trying to address in healthcare.

None of this would be possible without people. But not only the brilliant researchers who are the driving force behind our progress. The patients, carers, public and healthcare professionals who devote their time to get involved and be part of our research play an invaluable role in what we do, too. It is through their knowledge and lived experience that we know we’re asking the right questions and chasing the right solutions.

Tackling our ‘Mental Health Intelligence’ in the workplace

For the UK workforce, the challenge of mental health at work is significant.

There is an ongoing stigma that prevents an open discussion on the topic. And with more people working longer hours, uncertainty in job security and a lack of understanding about mental health, this a problem which has repercussions for both employers and employees.

Food security during COVID-19: “We must respect farmers as we do health workers”

Empty supermarket shelves have become synonymous with life amid coronavirus.

But the impact of the pandemic on food security goes far beyond the common frustrations of stockpiling driven by fear and a scarcity of pasta.

Restaurants and catering outlets have closed, food markets have drawn their shutters, social distancing and sickness have massively burdened workforces, and restrictions on movement have created a chink in the supply chain. All of this has created immense pressure on supermarkets that are having to cope with the ever-increasing demands, on farmers who are losing their clientele and are unable to distribute their produce, and on families who struggle to put food on their plates.

What’s it like to…work in research communications?

By Dr Justine Alford, Communications Manager, IGHI

My journey into research communications was somewhat serendipitous.

During my undergrad in biology I’d become really passionate about HIV. I embarked on a PhD studying the virus in the lab, envisioning my name in scientific lights as I contributed towards a cure. The reality of pipetting minuscule amounts of liquid into test tubes while sporting an oversized bottle green lab coat was far less glamorous.