BRICS and global health: a call for papers.

Editorials 466 In recent decades, the influence of Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) within the international arena has increased enormously. 1 These countries represent around 25% of the world's gross national income, more than 40% of the world's population and about 30% of the world's land area. 2 Although much attention has been paid to their economic performance , less widely noted is the fact that these countries are uniquely positioned to exert a decisive influence on health at the global level. Within BRICS countries, hundreds of millions of people have been lifted out of poverty. This has resulted in marked improvements in health outcomes and in substantial progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. 3,4 BRICS countries are also gravitating towards universal health coverage, although not at an even pace. They are leaders in the manufacture of low-cost medicines and vaccines. 5 Their experiences in reducing poverty and strengthening health systems, together with their booming economies and large populations, explain why they exert such an enormous influence on health worldwide. Besides, in only a few years they have amassed a wealth of experience and knowledge from which other low-and middle-income countries can draw valuable examples. Despite their many assets, however, BRICS countries face important health problems. India has the highest number of maternal and infant deaths of any country in the world. South Africa has the greatest number of people with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Alcohol abuse is a major public health concern in the Russian Federation. In addition, BRICS countries' strong economic growth has created a new set of problems that need to be addressed. Over the last decade, inequities in health and in the socioeconomic sphere have become accentuated in most of these countries. 6 Although life expectancy has improved substantially in Brazil, China and India, BRICS countries as a whole still account for about 40% of the global burden of disease. 7 They also face a " double " disease burden resulting from the coupling of infectious diseases with the emergence of new health problems triggered by environmental factors and to an increase in road traffic injuries and noncommunicable diseases. Tackling the social determinants of health continues to be a priority for BRICS countries. Globally, BRICS countries are becoming increasingly important partners in international development cooperation. 8 They are helping to reshape the landscape of aid effectiveness. According to the final …