Exploring why global health needs are unmet by research efforts: the potential influences of geography, industry and publication incentives.

ABSTRACT:

Background

It has been well established that research is not addressing health needs in a balanced way - much more research is conducted on diseases with more burden in high-income countries than on those with more burden in lower-income countries. In this study, we explore whether these imbalances persist and inquire about the possible influence of three factors, namely geography, industry and publication incentives.

Methods

We use WHO data on the Global Burden of Disease as a proxy measure of health needs and bibliometric information as a proxy for research efforts. Scientific publications on diseases were collected from MEDLINE using MeSH terms to identify relevant publications. We used Web of Science to collect author affiliations and citation data. We developed a corres

SUBMITTER: Yegros-Yegros A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7227286 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature