Reprogram Global

The global think-tank for advancing #globalhealth, #humanrights, #justice and #peace. A light unto the nations.
Proudly supporting the fight against #COVID19.

[Sonu Bhaskar @DrSonuBhaskar]

Honoured to receive the Springer Nature Editor of Distinction Award 2026 – Author Service Award for my editorial work with BMC Medical Research Methodology.

Grateful to @SpringerNature and @BioMedCentral for this recognition, and to the authors, reviewers, and editorial community who continue to uphold rigour, fairness, and trust in science & medicine.

#SpringerNature #BMC #PeerReview #ResearchIntegrity #AcademicPublishing

[Sonu Bhaskar @DrSonuBhaskar]

After months of back and forth, I finally had a wonderful conversation yesterday with a journo from a national broadcaster about a podcast series on brain health, ageing, and everything in between. Raising awareness for the broader community has always been part of the mission and, in many ways, a form of service. Over the past decade, we (@GlobalNeuroLab) have made a conscious commitment to public talks and outreach, including through Neurology Talkies and Australian National Science Week. We’ll hopefully record next week, with the episodes out in a few weeks. Watch this space!

Meanwhile, sharing a previous conversation with ABC News Radio.

Link: https://t.co/0DgzuTD9wk

Audio Credits: ABC News Radio (National Breakfast)

[Sonu Bhaskar @DrSonuBhaskar]

Pleased to share our landmark Global Burden of Disease 2023 study, now published in @NatureMedicine: “Global, regional and national burden of ischemic heart disease attributable to suboptimal diet, 1990–2023.”

As part of the IHME/GBD Collaborators and a co-author on this work, chuffed to contribute to a study that quantifies one of the most important and preventable drivers of cardiovascular mortality worldwide.

Using GBD 2023 estimates across 204 countries, we found that in 2023, suboptimal diet was responsible for:
• 4.06 million ischemic heart disease deaths
• 96.84 million disability-adjusted life years
• A burden especially pronounced in low- and middle-SDI countries

Encouragingly, the global age-standardized death rate of diet-attributable IHD declined by 43.92% from 1990 to 2023. Yet the absolute burden remains immense.

The leading dietary contributors to IHD deaths included:
• Low intake of nuts and seeds
• Low intake of whole grains
• Low intake of fruits
• High sodium intake

The implication is clear: heart disease prevention cannot be limited to clinical care alone. It must include food systems, affordability, nutrition literacy, culturally appropriate dietary guidance, and population-level policy interventions.

This study reinforces a simple but powerful message: better diets are not only a matter of individual choice; they are a matter of public health infrastructure, equity, and prevention.

Grateful to the GBD 2023 IHD & Dietary Risk Factors Collaborators, IHME, and all colleagues contributing to this important global effort.
@GlobalNeuroLab
#NatureMedicine #GBD2023 #IHME #CardiovascularDisease #IschemicHeartDisease #Diet #GlobalHealth #PublicHealth #Prevention #Nutrition #HealthEquity
Note: Link to the full study in the next tweet.

[Global Health Neurology Lab @GlobalNeuroLab]

"We do not need to erase one part of identity to celebrate another. That hyphen in Asian-Australian is not a barrier, it is a BRIDGE"
- @DrSonuBhaskar, Overall Winner of the 2025 Asian-Australian Leadership Award recipient - acceptance speech at the State Library of Victoria 🇦🇺🧠

[Sonu Bhaskar @DrSonuBhaskar]

Looking forward to engaging with our colleagues in Shimane and Osaka!

🇯🇵🩺⚕️

https://t.co/UvVyfy1ki3

[Global Health Neurology Lab @GlobalNeuroLab]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Global Health Neurology Lab Research Reframes Parkinsonism Through a Neurovascular Lens

@DrSonuBhaskar @EJNeuroscience

[Link to the full article below.]

1/n

[Sonu Bhaskar @DrSonuBhaskar]

I’m pleased to share the publication of our new paper in the European Journal of Neuroscience @EJNeuroscience (official journal of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies - @FENSorg).

In everyday clinical practice, many of us encounter a difficult and frustrating reality: a substantial proportion of patients with Parkinsonian syndromes, particularly older adults, remain poorly responsive to dopaminergic therapy.

They fall early, freeze when walking, and deteriorate despite “doing everything right” by current standards.

This is not a niche problem.

Parkinsonism affects millions globally, its burden rising rapidly with ageing populations, and treatment-resistant gait dysfunction is one of the strongest drivers of disability, falls, and loss of independence.

The idea behind this work came directly from the clinic.

Again and again, I noticed a recurring gap: patients labelled as “atypical” or “refractory” Parkinson’s disease often shared a heavy vascular burden that was underappreciated, under-measured, and rarely integrated into diagnosis or treatment decisions.

In this paper, we propose a paradigm shift.

We introduce the Neurovascular–Locomotor Integration Failure (NLIF) hypothesis, reframing freezing of gait and related axial symptoms as consequences of small-vessel disease–driven network disconnection rather than late dopaminergic failure alone.

We operationalize this through the Vasc-PD Stratification Score (VPDS) and the Neurovascular–Degenerative Classification (NDC), placing Parkinsonian syndromes along a mechanistic continuum, from neuro-dominant PD, to vascular-dominant parkinsonism, to mixed neurovascular disease.

This integrated framework enables earlier recognition, precision stratification, and mechanism-based therapy.

This work reflects a personal philosophy I hold strongly: great clinical care is like good science - rooted in curiosity, careful observation, and mechanisms, but always driven by integration rather than silos.

I’m grateful to the Editorial leadership of EJN, especially Prof. John Foxe @JohnnyFoxe, Editor-in-Chief, and Prof. Dr Stewart Factor, Associate Editor, for their rigour and constructive feedback.

European Journal of Neuroscience is one of the most prestigious journals in our field, and it has been a privilege to publish this work there.

I led this study as part of the latest vertical of the V-CoNDoR Project, a global initiative translating research on Vascular Contributions to Neurodegenerative Diseases into advanced clinical care.

I hope this framework stimulates wider debate in the neurology community, and I look forward to working with colleagues to see it translated into real-world practice, where patients need it most.

🔗 Read-only article link: https://t.co/lhu3JXD1Km

Publication:

Kim, K., & Bhaskar, S. M. M.* (2026). Neurovascular Integration Failure and Freezing of Gait: Rethinking Parkinsonism Through a Vascular Lens. EJN, 63(1), e70381

[John J. Foxe @JohnnyFoxe]

OUT NOW in @EJNeuroscience
Neurovascular Integration Failure and Freezing of Gait: Rethinking Parkinsonism Through a Vascular Lens
Sonu Bhaskar @DrSonuBhaskar of @GlobalNeuroLab
Of interest to: @ParkinsonsEU @ParkinsonsUK @ParkinsonDotOrg @WileyBrainPsych
https://t.co/RwwmkZIId1

[Sonu Bhaskar @DrSonuBhaskar]

Throwback Bengaluru 🇮🇳 trip!

Laying the seeds of stronger 🇮🇳🇦🇺🇯🇵 ties.

Beyond the keynote at the World Headache Society Annual Symposium, it was a pleasure to give invited lectures at the Centre for Brain Research (IISc Bengaluru), St John's Hospital, and Narayana Hospitals.

Special thanks to fellow neurologist and good friend Dr Pravin Thomas and his family for being great hosts.

Not to forget the special meeting with leading cardiologist Dr Devi Shetty.

#IISc #StJohns #Narayana #NIMHANS #globalhealth #neurology #healthsystems

[Sonu Bhaskar @DrSonuBhaskar]

Honoured to be named a touchNEUROLOGY Future Leader 2025.

Grateful to the mentors, colleagues, and teams who continue to inspire this journey in neurology, global health, and systems innovation.

A reminder that the future of brain health must be equitable, bold, and collaborative. 🧠🌍

🔗 https://t.co/BOzp7QfrYm

#Gratitude #Neurology #GlobalHealth #FutureLeader #touchNEUROLOGY #StrokeCare

[Sonu Bhaskar @DrSonuBhaskar]

I'm excited to announce that I’ll be speaking at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Microscopy Congress (APMC) for the Disease and Intervention Pathobiology session in Brisbane from 2 to 7 February 2025 about our ongoing work into the pathogenesis and etiology of #stroke.

Looking forward to discussing our latest findings and their implications for therapeutic interventions.

Say hi if you are around!

More here: https://t.co/pUmuvozwgA

#APMC2025 #StrokeResearch #Pathogenesis #Microscopy

[Sonu Bhaskar @DrSonuBhaskar]

We are passionate about improving brain health locally and globally!
Honored to contribute to advancing #brainhealth and global #neurology through our ongoing work.

Grateful for the opportunity to share insights from our project.

Welcome everyone to this in-person event on October 2 (Wednesday) at Izumi Hall, Osaka City!

#BrainHealth #Neurology #GlobalHealth #IzumiHall
#SocialPrescribing #HealthPolicy

[Global Health Neurology Lab @GlobalNeuroLab]

Read about the 2022 Australian Global Talent Award winner and medical research pioneer, Dr. Sonu Bhaskar’s inspiring story.

1/3 Dr. Bhaskar was recognized for his contributions to the field of medicine.

#GlobalAustralian #AdvanceAwards 🦘🇦🇺🧠⚕️🩺🩸

https://t.co/gAouMD0Ccd

[Sonu Bhaskar @DrSonuBhaskar]

🦘 In this podcast interview with Johanna Pitman, CEO @Advance, I had the great pleasure and honour to talk about my personal and professional journey.
🇯🇵🇦🇺 via 🇮🇳🇪🇸🇩🇪🇳🇱

https://t.co/xBWYILEfWq

From humble beginnings to our work in global health and neurology, and the impact it's making, underscoring my lifelong commitment and passion for service above self.
#AlwaysAustralian #GlobalAustralians #AdvanceAwards 🇦🇺🦘🇮🇳🇪🇸🇩🇪🇳🇱

[Sonu Bhaskar @DrSonuBhaskar]

Reflecting back almost a year ago fills me with immense gratitude and humility. It was an unforgettable moment when I was honored to receive the 2023 IABCA Australia-India Science, Research, and Development Award.

https://t.co/SKmA9EWTR0 via @YouTube

The significance of this recognition was magnified by the fact that it was bestowed upon by the remarkable Hon' Lisa Singh, CEO of Australia India Institute at the University of Melbourne @UniMelb. Her trailblazing journey as the first woman of South Asian heritage elected to the Australian parliament added a layer of inspiration to the occasion.

As I stood there, accepting this award, I couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility that came with it. Our mission, driven by #globalhealth and #neurology, has propelled us forward in our quest to save lives worldwide, one life at a time.

None of this would have been possible without the support and dedication of my team and collaborators. Special thanks to Praviin Maniktala for capturing those precious moments that will forever be etched in my memory.

To everyone who has been a part of this journey, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support fuels our determination to continue making a difference in the field of neurology and beyond. @globalneurolab

Full story: https://t.co/dOsPiIGIbO

#AlwaysAustralian #GlobalIndian #Impact #Leadership
@globalneurolab #Leadership #neurology #globalhealth

[Sonu Bhaskar @DrSonuBhaskar]

(3/3) Here is a concise summary of our latest policy recommendations aimed at addressing the specific healthcare challenges faced by migrants and refugees.

This summary represents the culmination of our collective efforts and insights, providing a roadmap for meaningful action and positive change in advancing health equity.

#GlobalHealth #Migration #PolicyBrief #EquitableHealthcare #MigrantsRights #Equity #Access

[Sonu Bhaskar @DrSonuBhaskar]

(2/3) Action Plan: To recognise migrants and refugees as central stakeholders in global health and the One Health discourse, we suggest the following key actions:

1. Raise awareness about the unique social determinants and health challenges faced by migrants and refugees, particularly those in low-resource settings, and the opportunities they bring.

2. Advocate for strategic integration of the needs of migrants and refugees within German and global policy agendas to enhance domestic and global health outcomes.

3. Facilitate a participatory approach to discussions around migrants and refugees where all stakeholders can partake in the co-design, co-authorship, and co-production of the discussions and associated outputs.

#GlobalHealth #Migration #PolicyBrief #EquitableHealthcare #MigrantsRights #Equity #Access

[Sonu Bhaskar @DrSonuBhaskar]

(1/3) 📢 Announcement: I'm delighted to share the publication of the latest policy brief, from the Global Health Hub Germany (GHHG) Community on Global Health and Migration, for which I had the privilege of serving as the lead author.

The full policy brief is available at: https://t.co/B8CR03CW2r
GHHG Website (Published February 20, 2024):
https://t.co/t3j6W0zVzQ

This collaborative effort brings together insights and contributions from a diverse array of experts spanning multiple disciplines, primarily from Germany and Europe, and indeed from around the globe.

As the Founding Member of the Hub Community on Global Health and Migration, it has been an incredible privilege to witness the profound impact of our collective efforts.

🔥 From pioneering initiatives like the Migrant Kaleidoscope project to our influential submission on Workforce and Migration in the Health Sector to the Subcommittee on Global Health of the German Bundestag [https://t.co/6fw9K0zZUu], our contributions have made waves in shaping policy and fostering positive change.

I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together and look forward to continuing our vital work in advancing the global health discourse.

"Prioritising Migrants and Refugees in the Global Health Discourse: A Policy Brief of the Global Health Hub Germany Community on Global Health and Migration."

Key Questions
1. Why prioritise migrants and refugees in this discourse?
2. How can awareness of their health challenges be improved in the context of global health?

Abstract: This policy brief presents a comprehensive framework with key policy recommendations and actions aimed at addressing the critical health challenges faced by migrants and refugees in host countries. By exploring facilitators, barriers, frontline worker experiences, system integration, and specific healthcare needs, our brief seeks to inform policymakers and stakeholders in Germany about the measures necessary to ensure equitable and effective healthcare for this vulnerable population. We emphasise the opportunities that migrants offer to host countries and stress the imperative to bridge the gap between global migration policy and national responses. Displaced populations, particularly in low-resource settings, confront unique health challenges requiring focused attention. Addressing these needs is crucial for advancing global health outcomes.

Acknowledgments: Heartfelt gratitude to the contributors who made this brief possible: Dr. Stephanie Tache, Dr. Henna Riemenschneider, Maureen McGowan, Indre Karciauskaite, Dr. Joost Butenop, Dr. Veronica I. Dodero, Ruth Kopelke, Dr. Jinan Abi Jumaa, Antonia Ekerdt, Dr. Sonia Diaz-Monsalve, Dr. Michael Wirsching, Dr. Elham Khatamzas, Dr. Mohamed Moussif, Vicky Pros Abenakyo, Oxana Abovskaya, Dr. Sevil Hakimi, Dr. Naqibullah Hamdard, Khullat Munir, and Nadina Stadler. Special thanks to Merle Wangerin, Head of Community Management, Global Health Hub Germany, Berlin, and the Hub Secretariat for their ongoing support.

Thank you to all our dedicated members for their unwavering commitment and passion. Here's to many more milestones ahead! 🌟

Together, let's advocate for equitable healthcare access and foster positive change on a global scale.

#GlobalHealth #Migration #PolicyBrief #EquitableHealthcare #MigrantsRights #Equity #Access

[Sonu Bhaskar @DrSonuBhaskar]

Honoured to announce my forthcoming invited talk on February 9, 2024 (Friday), hosted by the Rotary Club of Tokyo Akasaka.

I am looking forward to (re)connecting and having the opportunity to engage with fellow Rotarians in Tokyo to underscore the growing burden of neurological diseases and the need for prevention.

Following my time in Tokyo, I eagerly anticipate immersing myself in the rich culture and heritage of Kamakura during my visit over the long weekend.

My sincere gratitude to Satoshi-san and his esteemed team of Rotarians for their tireless efforts in meticulously organising this event over the past several months, as well as for putting together the subsequent trip.
#globalhealth #neurology #stroke #brainhealth #globalaffairs #advocacy #equity
🧠🧠🇯🇵🇯🇵🗼🗼⛩️⛩️

[Sonu Bhaskar @DrSonuBhaskar]

On December 13, 2023, just days before leaving for the winter holidays, I had the distinct honour and pleasure of delivering an invited lecture at Nishiyamatogakuen Junior High School in #Nara, #Japan 🇯🇵.

The event was made possible through the gracious invitation extended by Mr. Michihiro Takasaki, the project leader for the transformative "Remove The Ceiling" initiative.

It was a heartfelt experience to connect with such bright and enthusiastic young minds!

During the lecture, I had the opportunity to share fragments of my life journey—highlighting both successes and failures—and to delve into the profound love I harbour for medicine, neuroscience, and the broader realm of science.

I underscored why genuine curiosity, purpose and service are key to shaping the world we inhabit. Glad that the conversations resonated deeply with the students.

The energy in the room was electrifying. Witnessing the students' eyes light up with curiosity and passion was truly inspiring. Their eagerness to contribute positively to the world around them was palpable.

The overwhelming positive remarks and feedback from the students following the lecture and later via email warmed my heart. It is moments like these that reaffirm the transformative power of education and mentorship. By nurturing the flames of ambition within each young soul, we indeed contribute to creating a better world.

As someone who holds a deep-seated passion for mentoring students, I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to connect with such a dynamic and enthusiastic cohort.

They are the architects of tomorrow's dreams, and their steadfast resolve instils within me a sense of optimism for a future brimming with promise and possibility.

In the immortal words of Helen Keller, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." Let us continue to break down barriers, kindle the flames of inspiration, and empower the leaders of tomorrow to reach for the stars and beyond!

With heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Takasaki and the entire Nishiyamatogakuen Junior High School community for their invitation to visit the school and for welcoming me with open arms.
#GlobalHealth #neurology #Stroke #MedEd #GlobalNeurology #Humanitarian #GlobalCitizen
#Science #Medicine #Education #STEMMatters
#RemoveTheCeiling #Inspiration #Mentorship #ScienceEducation 🌟🔬📚
#AlwaysAustralian #AdvanceAustralian #GlobalAustralians #GlobalIndians @thebetterindia @JapaninIndia @GlobalNeuroLab @ReprogramGlobal