Global health 2021: who tells the story?

In an Art of Medicine essay published in The Lancet November, 2020, Seye Abimbola and Madhukar Pai set out a vision for the future academic global health. their promised land they imagine, among other changes, transformation journals—“No longer exclusive, high-impact western journals now exist multitude go-to places, most which are based Global South”—and imbalances authorship within high-income country low-income or middle-income (LMIC) collaborations “a thing past”. This essay, alongside growing efforts to decolonise health, gave us, as editors London-based health journal, pause reflect on our editorial priorities field research that we publish. A letter Health 2018 analysed trends all articles journal between its launch June, 2013, July, 2017, found approximately 35% authors were affiliated with came from LMICs. There was regional variation, studies southeast Asia having highest LMIC at 56%, compared 28% Middle East north Africa. Only 17% multi-regional several possible reasons this, including lack funding LMIC-led research, unequal roles responsibilities individuals institutes involved international collaborative projects, parachute practices. editorial, stated “we look extremely unfavourably papers submitted by who have done primary another (particularly country) but not included any author nation”. Yet patterns domination countries under-representation LMICs persist literature. Going further, powerful BMJ Health, described obligation researchers might feel write audience is different population whom work involves affects: so-called foreign gaze. He offered ideal “local people writing about local issues audiences”. On gaze, “if literature give priority does experts forefront addressing problems, then there something deeply wrong literature, because it reality.” start new year therefore seems opportune us consider what can do bring Pai's one step closer reality. Before that, must first exercise reflexivity part play maintaining perpetuating status quo, whether elevating certain communities enabling them dominate knowledge base, paywalls potentially prohibitive article processing fees by-product offering openly available content, representation workforces unconscious biases impact decision-making processes—something organisation actively working address. Imbalances symptom bigger problem: power Expertise reside elite institutions Europe North America alone. It unacceptable gatekeepers producers continue mirror historical colonisers. time disrupt old order where practitioners thought everything learn counterparts nothing teach them. intended beneficiaries targets programmes should active role shaping discourse. So, this year, seeks amplify voices workers notion ”global health” everyday reality lives. We invite readers, particularly those regular contributors pages, share expertise experiences form Correspondence, Viewpoints, Comments theme: What health? Open debate. Ask hard questions. Offer solutions your own experiences. will welcome frank, open discussion problems throughout year. Please submit piece through Health's online manuscript submission system mention covering response call papers. forward hearing you opportunity readers you. Challenges breaking down colonial research: fundingIn Editorial,1 drew attention importance decolonising current austerity policies Brazil making unfeasible. past few years underfunding has intensified, especially after enactment Constitutional Amendment 95/2016, imposing strict limits public expenditures preventing expansion investments 20 areas such education. Full-Text PDF Access