‘Preventable deaths will continue’ without action to make NHS more accessible for autistic people, say experts

University of Cambridge

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Life-saving opportunities to prevent suicide among autistic people are being missed because systemic barriers make it difficult for them to access NHS support during times of mental health crisis, according to new research.

Autistic people experience poorer mental and physical health and live shorter lives than the general population. They are significantly more likely than non-autistic people to die by suicide. Recent estimates suggest that one in three autistic people has experienced suicidal ideation and nearly one in four has attempted suicide.

In a study published today in Autism, researchers from the University of Cambridge and Bournemouth University found that of more than 1,000 autistic adults surveyed, only one in four reached out to the NHS the last time they experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviours.

Among those who did not seek NHS support, the most common reasons were that they believed the NHS could not help them (48%), that they tried to cope alone (54%), or that they felt there was “no point” due to long waiting lists for mental health services (43%). Many participants commented that the NHS’s limited range of mental health services was not suitable for “people like us”.

Just over a third (36%) of participants who did not seek NHS support reported previous negative experiences with the NHS, while a similar number (34%) said they had had bad experiences specifically when seeking help for suicidality – and more than one in 10 (12%) said they had been turned away or had a referral rejected.

One in four participants (25%) said they feared consequences such as being sectioned. Others highlighted practical barriers, suggesting they could not face trying to get an appointment with their GP (34%). No participants said they didn’t want to be stopped.

This study also corroborates findings that certain gender groups may experience even greater barriers to accessing NHS support. Analysis by the team at Bournemouth and Cambridge showed that among the participants, cisgender women and those who were transgender or gender-divergent were more likely to have had negative experiences, while transgender and gender-divergent autistic people were especially likely to fear that they would not be believed by NHS staff.

Co-lead author Dr Tanya Procyshyn from the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge said: “Our findings make it clear that autistic people do want support when they are struggling with suicidality, but many have been let down by a system that they experience as inaccessible, unhelpful, or even harmful. Without urgent reform to make services trustworthy and better suited to autistic people’s needs, preventable deaths will continue.”

This study offers new insights on significantly higher suicide rates among the autistic population, a stark reality recognised by the Government’s inclusion of autistic people as a priority group in the 2023 Suicide Prevention Strategy. The authors note that policy commitments must lead to meaningful service changes, such as autism-informed training for healthcare professionals, alternatives to phone-based appointment booking, and flexible, autism-adapted mental health services. They stress that these changes must be co-designed with autistic people to ensure acceptability and rebuild trust.

Co-lead author, Dr Rachel Moseley from the Department of Psychology at Bournemouth University, said: “We know from other research that healthcare professionals don’t receive sufficient training to help them work effectively with autistic people. Our work shows that when faced with autistic people in crisis, clinicians often overlook these signs, or react in a way that causes further damage. For these reasons, it’s imperative that the government takes steps to address inequalities that prevent autistic people from accessing healthcare that could save their lives.”

Professor Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, Director of the Autism Research Centre at Cambridge and the senior author on the team, added: “There is a mental health crisis in the autism community, with one in four autistic adults planning or attempting suicide. This is unacceptably high. Although the UK Government has finally now recognised autistic people as a high-risk group in relation to suicide, the essential changes that could prevent these unnecessary deaths are not materialising fast enough.

“We are glad that Autism Action, the charity that funds a number of our suicide prevention studies, is translating the research into policy and practice, but we need to see a massive injection of funding into support services to avert multiple future tragedies.”

The research was instigated by the charity Autism Action as part of its mission to reduce the number of autistic people who think about, attempt and die by suicide.

Tom Purser, CEO of Autism Action, said: “It is unacceptable that our health service fails autistic people at the time of their greatest need. Autistic people want help but barriers in the form of inaccessible systems, poor attitudes and lack of training are preventing this, and in one in ten cases people are being turned away or rejected.

“The recently published Learning from Lives and Deaths report, focused on people with a learning disability and autistic people, highlighted that a lack of access to the right support is a massive factor that leads to premature deaths. We know a better system is possible – the Government must now lead the way to save lives.”

In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. Alternatively, you can contact PAPYRUS (Prevention of Young Suicide) HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141 or by texting 88247.

Reference
'I did not think they could help me’: Autistic adults’ reasons for not seeking public healthcare when they last experienced suicidality. Autism; 15 Sept 2025

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Journal

Autism

Method of Research

Survey

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

‘I did not think they could help me’: Autistic adults’ reasons for not seeking public healthcare when they last experienced suicidality

Article Publication Date

15-Sep-2025

 

UT San Antonio School of Public Health: The People’s School

How the School of Public Health is addressing the needs of the community

University of Texas at San Antonio

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In 2024, UTSA and UT Health San Antonio—now integrated as UT San Antonio—joined forces to help accelerate those efforts with the launch of the UT San Antonio School of Public Health.

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Credit: UT San Antonio School of Public Health

Most of us are used to seeking out healthcare professionals when we are sick, injured or just need routine care. And yet, what many don’t realize is that working parallel to the medical field, public health professionals are working at the population level to improve the quality of lives through health and wellness promotion and illness prevention.

Whether it’s providing access to summer food programs to address children’s food security or creating policy for safe water, public health researchers and practitioners are working with the community to make lives better.

In 2024, UTSA and UT Health San Antonio—now integrated as UT San Antonio—joined forces to help accelerate those efforts with the launch of the UT San Antonio School of Public Health.

“We call our school the ‘people school’ because we want to be people-centered,” says Vasan Ramachandran, founding dean of the School of Public Health. “We are very much grounded in the community. That’s where we want our research experience, our teaching and our to be.”

Ramachandran adds that the school works with a number of iconic community-based organizations that are grounded in public health.

“Each student in the graduate program is committed to 180 hours of applied practical experience. This experiential learning is community situated. It’s a form of community service learning,” he says.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the field of public health is expected to grow approximately 17 percent by 2030. Based on data from the Texas Workforce Commission, community and social service occupations are expected to grow to more than 43,000 in Texas in the next six years.

While the new school is ready to contribute to the growing public health workforce, it’s also prepared to mold its programs and students to fit the field’s continuous evolution.

“The number of public health jobs is increasing, but the content of the public health workforce and the jobs are also diversifying,” Ramachandran says. “When we face a situation where we need to expand the public health workforce, I think we try to be as flexible as possible. Some part of it is through educational programming at the graduate and doctorate levels, also creating a portfolio of skill sets that allows the existing public health workforce to upskill.”

He added, “We need health professionals who aren’t just in public health. We need dental and nursing professionals who are interested in public health and, of course, physicians who are interested in public health.”

Regarding UT San Antonio, Ramachandran states, “I think the possibilities are endless and I am incredibly excited about this merger and how we can work together. We have already been working together before the merger, so I hope we can continue to work together to exponentially increase the range of educational programming, the range of research and diversify our portfolio.”

 

The science of sacrifice: How altruism and evolution can work in tandem

Throwing new light on Hamilton's rule

Universiteit van Amsterdam

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Why do we help others, even when it costs us something? This question has fascinated scientists for decades. A new study from the University of Amsterdam offers a breakthrough answer by updating one of the most famous ideas in evolutionary biology: Hamilton’s rule. The research was published on 12 September in the journal eLife.

Hamilton’s rule, introduced in the 1960s, says that altruism – helping others at your own expense – can evolve when the benefits to others, multiplied by how closely related they are to you, outweigh the cost to yourself. In simple terms, we’re more likely to make sacrifices for family because it helps our shared genes survive.

Not just one rule

But ever since it was proposed, scientists have disagreed about how general the rule really is. Some said it almost never applies, while others argued it’s as broad and fundamental as natural selection itself. By reworking the mathematics behind Hamilton’s rule, the new study shows that a rule that describes when altruism is or is not selected should not be just one formula. The original Hamilton’s rule is actually part of a whole family of rules, with each version of the rule applying under different circumstances, depending on how traits influence survival and reproduction.

‘For years, the debate has been about whether Hamilton’s rule is universal,’ says the study’s author, Professor Matthijs van Veelen. ‘What I show is that it’s not a single rule, but is in fact many different versions that work in different situations. That means both sides of the debate were partly right.’

A fresh mathematical foundation

The key to this discovery is an updated mathematical tool called the Generalised Price equation. The original Price equation described how traits change from one generation to the next, but it left some important gaps. The new version reconnects the math with statistics, and shows how data can help choose between different ways in which traits affect fitness – of which there are many. Every such way comes with a version of the Price equation of its own.

This new perspective reveals that the classic Hamilton’s rule is only the simplest case. More complex versions can account for things like multiple interacting traits or non-linear effects. In short, there’s no longer a need to argue about whether Hamilton’s rule “holds” or not. The real question is: which version of it applies in each situation?

Why it matters

This breakthrough could reshape how scientists study cooperation and altruism in nature. Instead of asking whether Hamilton’s rule is true in a given species – a question that turns out to be unhelpful – researchers can now focus on figuring out which version of the rule fits their data.

That shift could make studies of social behaviour much clearer, whether scientists are looking at microbes that work together, birds that share food, or humans who help strangers.

Ending the debate, opening new doors

The study provides what Van Veelen calls a “constructive solution” to a decades-old argument. Rather than taking sides, it reframes the question in a way that makes progress possible. ‘This result doesn’t just close the debate,’ he says. ‘It gives us a more powerful framework to use in future. Cooperation is everywhere in nature, and now we have a clearer picture of the many ways evolution can produce it.’

Looking ahead

By resolving one of the biggest theoretical disputes in evolutionary biology, this work opens the door to more precise and practical research. It highlights the flexibility of evolution and shows that cooperation isn’t a mystery – it can be explained, but the explanation depends on the details of each case. In other words: there’s no single path to cooperation in evolution. There are many – and now we finally have a map.

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Journal

eLife

DOI

10.7554/eLife.105065.2 

 

Can microbes be the good guys? New study reveals Hollywood’s blind spot

A new review in Microbial Biotechnology shows how films — from French Kiss to The Martian — highlight microbes as allies in food, medicine, and even space exploration.

Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche

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Hollywood and commercial cinema often portray microbes as villains—causing deadly epidemics, fueling apocalyptic scenarios, or being weaponized for destruction. This stereotype reinforces a cultural bias known as germophobia. But a new review argues that films can also serve as powerful educational tools to challenge this perception, helping audiences appreciate the indispensable role microorganisms play in sustaining life on Earth and driving innovations such as food fermentation, antibiotic production, biofuels, and bioremediation.

The article, Positive Microbiology in the Movies, published in Microbial Biotechnology, is authored by Dr. Manuel Sánchez-Angulo of the University Miguel Hernández and ISABIAL. His research shows that commercial films can highlight microbes as allies, not just enemies.

“Movies shape our cultural imagination. Unfortunately, microbes are almost always cast as the bad guys,” said Sánchez-Angulo. “But in reality, microbes help us make wine and cheese, produce antibiotics, clean up pollution, and could even support life beyond Earth. Film can help restore that balance.”

The review identifies 30 films that showcase microbes in a positive light, from Oscar winners to cult classics. Among them:

• The Martian (2015), where soil microbes help grow potatoes on Mars.
• French Kiss (1995), which celebrates the microbial magic behind 452 varieties of French cheese.
• Breaking the Mould (2009), a BBC drama about the discovery of penicillin.
• Avatar (2009), with its glowing vision of microbial symbiosis.
• Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), where fungi and microbes help cleanse a toxic world in a story of ecological renewal.

The review spans films across medicine, food microbiology, environmental science, and even space exploration. Beyond the silver screen, Sánchez-Angulo has tested this approach in his classrooms for more than a decade. By starting lessons with short “micro-clips” — brief film scenes featuring microbes — he found students were more engaged, remembered concepts longer, and even years later could link movies back to microbiology lessons.

By reframing microbes as allies rather than threats, this innovative approach aligns with the goals of the International Microbiology Literacy Initiative (https://imili.org/). It not only counters widespread misconceptions but also sparks curiosity and scientific literacy, making microbiology more accessible — and more inspiring — for students and society at large.

The full article, “Positive Microbiology in the Movies,” is available open access in Microbial Biotechnology: https://doi.org/10.1111/1751-7915.70085

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Journal

Microbial Biotechnology

DOI

10.1111/1751-7915.70085 

Method of Research

Content analysis

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Positive Microbiology in the Movies

Article Publication Date

4-Sep-2025

Diet can directly influence brain aging

Two proteins – Galectin-9 and Decorin – emerged as especially relevant to accelerated brain aging. Their levels decreased among participants following the green-Mediterranean diet, which includes green tea and the aquatic plant Mankai

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

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Beer-Sheva, Israel – September 15, 2025 – A new study led by researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Harvard University, and the University of Leipzig has uncovered innovative biological evidence that diet can directly influence brain aging. Published in Clinical Nutrition (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2025.08.021), the study examined brain MRI scans alongside detailed blood protein profiles (proteomics) over an 18-month dietary intervention. The research identified specific proteins linked to accelerated brain aging, with blood levels that were altered following dietary intervention.

Understanding Brain Age Gap

Age-related neurodegenerative conditions, such as brain atrophy, do not always align with our chronological age. Factors such as diabetes, inflammation, hypertension, high cholesterol, and the accumulation of β-amyloid and tau proteins can speed up brain aging. The “brain age gap” is defined as the difference between a person’s MRI-predicted brain age and their actual chronological age. A positive gap indicates an older brain age than expected – signifying accelerated brain aging – while a negative gap reflects a younger brain age, suggesting a slowdown in brain aging. A higher brain age gap has been observed in various neurological conditions, including mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.

The DIRECT PLUS Trial – One of the World’s Largest Brain MRI Dietary Studies

The DIRECT PLUS trial is one of the most extensive and longest-running brain MRI intervention studies to date, involving nearly 300 participants divided into three dietary groups. Whole-brain MRI scans were performed before and after the 18-month trial to track changes in brain health. Using advanced brain-age prediction models based on brain MRI data, researchers estimated each participant’s brain age before and after the dietary intervention.

Previous studies, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, revealed that both the traditional Mediterranean diet and the green-Mediterranean diet slowed age-related brain atrophy by approximately 50% within 18 months (https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqac001). In addition, improved glycemic control – particularly reductions in HbA1c – also contributed to this protective effect (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.09.013).

The Role of Blood Proteins

The present study investigated whether changes in blood proteomic profiles (a panel of approximately 90 proteins) differed between participants with distinct brain aging trajectories, and whether these differences were influenced by diet. The findings showed that participants whose brain age was older than their chronological age exhibited distinct shifts in their blood protein profiles over the 18 months of the intervention.

Two proteins – Galectin-9 and Decorin – emerged as especially relevant to accelerated brain aging. Their levels significantly decreased among participants following the green-Mediterranean diet, which includes green tea and the aquatic plant Mankai. This suggests a potential beneficial impact on biological processes related to brain aging through blood protein modulation. The study’s lead researcher, Prof. Iris Shai of Ben-Gurion University, an adjunct professor at Harvard University and an honorary professor at Leipzig University, explains: “This research represents an advance in the field of nutri-omics – the integration of nutrition science with omics technologies such as proteomics – and opens new pathways for developing targeted dietary strategies to slow the progression of neurological diseases.”
 

Green-MED Diet Targets Key Proteins Driving Brain Aging

There is evidence that Galectin-9, a protein from the Galectin family, is expressed in microglial cells in the brain and that, upon binding to the Tim-3 receptor, it may induce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which may accelerate neurodegenerative processes in diseases like Alzheimer’s.  Elevated levels of Galectin-9 have been found in individuals with mild cognitive impairment and in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. 

Decorin is a structural protein of the extracellular matrix. High levels of Decorin in cerebrospinal fluid have been linked to early changes in Alzheimer’s disease. Dafna Pachter, a Ph.D. student and the first author of the paper, adds: “In this study, we are taking a small step toward a new possibility – a simple, accessible, and affordable blood test that could, in the future, provide an indication of brain status by analyzing omics layers in the blood”.
 

In the current study, the green-MED diet, rich in polyphenols from sources such as Mankai, green tea, and walnuts, significantly reduced Galectin-9 levels and slowed the increase in Decorin. The anti-inflammatory activity of these components may explain the potential neuroprotective effect observed in the study.

Dr. Anat Yaskolka-Meir, postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the co-first author of the paper, explains the importance of studying circulating proteomics in brain health: “Studying the circulating proteins in blood allows us to observe, in a real-life setting, how the brain’s aging processes are influenced by lifestyle and dietary changes. This approach gives us a dynamic window into brain health, helping to reveal biological changes long before symptoms may appear. By mapping these protein signatures, we gain powerful new insight into how interventions, such as diet, may help preserve cognitive function as we age.”

Funding: The DIRECT PLUS trial was supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Israel Ministry of Health, the Israel Ministry of Science and Technology, and the California Walnuts Commission. The funding bodies had no role in study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or publication.

Authors: Dafna Pachter*, Anat Y Meir*, Alon Kaplan, Gal Tsaban, Hila Zelicha, Ehud Rinott, Gidon Levakov, Ofek Finkelstein, Ilan Shelef, Moti Salti, Frauke Beyer, Veronica Witte, Nora Klöting, Berend Isermann, Uta Ceglarek, Tammy R Raviv, Matthias Blüher, Michael Stumvoll, Dong D. Wang, Frank B Hu, Meir J Stampfer, Galia Avidan, and Iris Shai. (*Equal contribution)

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Journal

Clinical Nutrition

DOI

10.1016/j.clnu.2025.08.021 

Method of Research

Randomized controlled/clinical trial

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Serum Galectin-9 and Decorin in relation to brain aging and the green-Mediterranean diet: A secondary analysis of the DIRECT PLUS randomized trial

Article Publication Date

15-Sep-2025

Mediterranean diet could reduce gum disease

King's College London

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People living in the UK and following a diet close to the Mediterranean diet are more likely to have better gum health, with potentially lower amounts of gum disease and inflammation. 

Findings from a King’s College London study indicate that people not following a Mediterranean – style diet tended to have more severe gum disease, especially if they consumed red meat frequently.  

In these patients, the researchers observed higher levels of circulating inflammatory markers, such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP).  

However, patients whose diets were rich in plant-based food which are typical of a Mediterranean diet, such as legumes, vegetables, fruits and olive oil, showed lower levels of various inflammatory markers. 

The research, published today in the Journal of Periodontology, evaluated 200 hospital patients enrolled in the King’s College London Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Biobank by performing dental exams, taking blood samples, and asking them about their diets through questionnaires. 

The Mediterranean diet is known for its emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. It has been associated with a lower risk of developing major diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and certain cancers. 

There is substantial evidence showing that diet might play a role on human health by affecting the immune system and moderating inflammation. This depends on the composition of molecules in the diet, which include macronutrients, micronutrients and phytochemicals. Plant-based diets can contain more of these molecules which can lead to lower inflammation. 

Dr Giuseppe Mainas, first author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher at King’s College London, said: “Our findings suggest that a balanced, Mediterranean-type diet could potentially reduce gum disease and systemic inflammation.  

“We observed that there may be a connection between periodontal disease severity, diet, and inflammation. These aspects should be holistically considered when assessing the treatment for periodontitis in patients. Our research offers an important starting point that can lead to more research to better understand the relationship between foods intake and gum disease.” 

Professor Luigi Nibali, lead author and a Professor of Periodontology from King’s College London said: “There is emerging evidence about the role that a balanced diet might have in maintaining a periodontal healthy status. Our research shows the potential effect that a nutrient-dense, plant-rich diet could play in improving the nation’s gum health. Nevertheless, more investigation is needed to develop personalised approaches to help people manage their gum health.” 

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Journal

Journal of Periodontology