Global Health Otherwise

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗴𝗮𝗽𝘀? Did you know that in some low-income and middle-income countries, private sector facilities administer up to 47% of childhood vaccinations? This remarkable finding, outlined by Sharma et al. (2024) in their scoping review published in BMJ Global Health, underscores the transformative potential of private sector engagement (PSE) in expanding healthcare access. The private sector, ranging from for-profit clinics to faith-based organizations, has emerged as a critical player in reaching underserved populations, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings. In Afghanistan, private providers account for nearly half of vaccinations, significantly extending coverage to remote areas. Similarly, urban Bangladesh sees 95% of vaccinations provided by private entities, demonstrating their capacity to fill service gaps. However, PSE is not without challenges. Compliance lapses, financial exclusion risks, and inconsistent integration with public health systems remain significant hurdles. Yet, when governments systematically engage private providers through training, formal agreements, and resources, they can unlock unparalleled potential. The study emphasizes the importance of innovative financing models and regulatory frameworks to make immunization equitable and accessible. By leveraging private sector capacity, countries can bolster their healthcare systems and achieve global immunization goals. How can your organization collaborate with private sector entities to create sustainable, scalable healthcare solutions? It’s time to rethink partnerships for a healthier future. #GlobalHealth #Immunization #HealthcareInnovation Gurav Sharma Sarah Wanyoike, MPH, MBA Stephanie Kenyon A/Prof Meru Sheel Malia K. Boggs Folake Olayinka Luchuo Engelbert Bain

"Breakthrough achievements are born from focus, resilience, and a refusal to follow the crowd. Ignore distractions and envy—embrace self-care and dare to be 'abnormal' in pursuit of your bigger picture." Luchuo Engelbert Bain

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀? 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝘄𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 stand at the forefront of healthcare, yet their stories often go untold. In humanitarian and fragile settings, where resources are scarce, they shoulder immense responsibilities. A recent study by Dey et and colleagues (2024) highlights a staggering reality: Sub-Saharan Africa, home to the highest levels of fragility, has a midwifery density of just 0.21 per 10,000 people—far below global averages. This critical shortage directly impacts maternal and newborn health. In this study, 43% of under-five deaths occur in conflict-affected countries, and women near high-intensity conflicts face triple the mortality rate of those in peaceful settings. 𝗬𝗲𝘁, 𝗺𝗶𝗱𝘄𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀. With proper support, midwives can address 90% of essential reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) needs. Dey and colleagues stress the need for urgent government action to recruit and retain midwives, ensure fair pay, and create safer working conditions. The lack of prioritization leaves midwives unsupported, despite their ability to transform healthcare outcomes even in crisis. Empowering midwives means saving lives, advancing human rights, and strengthening global health systems. Let’s amplify their voices and advocate for policies that recognize their indispensable role in fragile settings. Let’s act before the silent heroes fall silent. Tanmay Dey M G Shah Mukul Mugo Viktoria Vivilaki Mathieu Boniol Michael Dibley Dr Kelechi Okoro Petra tenhoope-bender Paul Langlois-Meurinne Luchuo Engelbert Bain

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗻𝘀? Between 2014 and 2018, the readiness of healthcare facilities in Burkina Faso to provide basic emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEmONC) fell sharply, from 63.6% to 55.8% (p < 0.001), according to research by Ilboudo et al. This trend is not just a number—it reflects lives at risk. Every day, 800 women and 7,700 newborns worldwide lose their lives due to complications that are largely preventable (WHO). In Burkina Faso, maternal mortality remains devastatingly high at 330 per 100,000 live births, far from the Sustainable Development Goal target of 70. Alarmingly, only 50.2% of healthcare facilities could provide blood transfusion services in 2018—a critical resource for managing postpartum hemorrhages. This decline isn’t limited to urban or rural areas—it spans all regions and health facility types. The crisis is compounded by insecurity, with terrorist attacks forcing many facilities to shut down or reduce services. We can’t ignore these trends. Strengthening healthcare readiness—especially in rural areas—can drastically reduce maternal and neonatal mortality. Ilboudo et al. urge policymakers to prioritize essential medicines, staff training, and infrastructure improvements. The stakes are high, but the solutions are within reach. Let’s act before more lives are lost. How can your expertise or network contribute to reversing these trends? Reference: Ilboudo, D., Sombié, I., Koffi, A. K., et al. (2024). Temporal trends analysis of emergency obstetric and newborn care availability and readiness index of healthcare facilities in Burkina Faso. BMC Health Services Research. Issiaka Sombie Alain K. Téné Marceline YAMEOGO Luchuo Engelbert Bain

The Geneva Learning Foundation (TGLF): Where Front Line Health Workers Finally Found a Home, and a Voice, as they battle the impact of climate change on health. The Geneva Learning Foundation launched a new set of “Teach to Reach Questions” focused on how health workers protect community health during extreme weather events. This initiative comes at a crucial time, as world leaders at COP29 discuss climate change’s mounting impacts on health. As climate change intensifies extreme weather events worldwide, health workers are often the first to respond when disasters strike their communities. Their experiences – whether facing floods, droughts, heatwaves, or storms – contain vital lessons that could help others prepare for and respond to similar challenges. Read the eyewitness report: From community to planet: Health professionals on the frontlines of climate change, Online. The Geneva Learning Foundation. https://lnkd.in/edT5WYb8 Why ask health workers about extreme weather events? “Traditional surveys often ask for general information or statistics,” explains Charlotte Mbuh of The Geneva Learning Foundation. “Teach to Reach Questions are different. We ask health workers to share specific moments – a time when they had to act quickly during a flood, or how they kept services running during a drought. These stories reveal not just what happened, but how people actually solved problems on the ground.” The questions cover six key scenarios: Disease outbreaks during floods Health impacts of drought Care delivery during heatwaves Mental health support before, during, and after Maintaining healthcare access Quick action and local solutions to protect health Luchuo Engelbert Bain Reda Sadki Charlotte Mbuh

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀?   The United States faces a maternal health crisis, with mortality rates soaring from 23.8 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020 to 32.9 in 2021 (Hoyert, 2023). Alarmingly, women of color, particularly Black and AI/AN individuals, bear a disproportionate burden, experiencing mistreatment and a lack of autonomy during childbirth (Glover et al., 2024). Research by Annie Glover and colleagues (2024) highlights the deep-rooted inequalities in maternity care. "𝟭 𝗶𝗻 𝟲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀—𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽—𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱" These disparities aren’t just numbers; they reflect systemic biases in healthcare delivery. Yet, solutions exist. As Glover and colleagues emphasize, respectful care isn’t just ethical—it’s essential for improving health outcomes. By embedding patient identity and autonomy into care practices, we can transform the maternal healthcare landscape. Let’s move beyond conversations and champion actionable change. #MaternalHealth #EquityInCare #RespectfulCare Annie Glover Carly H. Patrick B. Luchuo Engelbert Bain

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗻? In Cameroon, a country grappling with one of the world's highest maternal mortality rates—529 deaths per 100,000 live births—the challenges extend beyond healthcare. Persistent civil unrest, a shortage of healthcare workers, and failing infrastructure have created insurmountable barriers for pregnant women seeking maternity care. Here’s what the numbers reveal: Civil conflict in the Northwest region has forced women to flee to the bush during labor, often leading to fatal outcomes for both mother and child. Entire emergency medical transport systems have shut down due to safety risks (Harsono et al., 2024). 1. Hospitals are severely understaffed, with some facilities managed by a single midwife. Equipment shortages, including incubators, lead to preventable neonatal deaths (Harsono et al., 2024). 2. Over 55% of study participants from rural areas reported walking more than five kilometers, often through unsafe terrain, to reach healthcare facilities. Many facilities lack reliable power, rendering critical equipment unusable (Harsono et al., 2024). 3. Despite these stark realities, solutions are on the horizon. Mobile health interventions, like the proposed mMIST system, aim to connect providers and streamline maternal care amidst these challenges. It’s time for global health stakeholders to address these structural barriers and prioritize sustainable solutions. The lives of mothers and newborns depend on it. Let’s advocate for change. What role can we play in ensuring equitable healthcare for all? Comfort Enah, PhD, RN, FAAN Mary Glory Nan Ngong Eric Wallace Janet Turan Jeff Szychowski Carlos Waldemar Paul-Lionel N. Gregory Halle-Ekane Alain THEVENET Henna Budhwani Luchuo Engelbert Bain

Research Impact to Policy Webinar: Conceptualizing, Measuring, and Scaling Impact in Global Health Research. There is a high level of consensus regarding the imperative for research to have the potential to create impact. However, there are divergent and non-systematic views on how impact in global health research should be defined, measured, and scaled. This challenge is especially acute in low- and middle-income countries, where minimal investment in research funding remains a significant concern. Available measures, such as publication counts, impact factors, and citation numbers, often fail to capture the true value and impact of research on health outcomes.  Impactful research is not only essential for the judicious use of scarce resources but is also an ethical imperative for research participants. The unacceptably large divide between evidence generation and policy translation (approximately 17 years) is no longer acceptable within the current stifled research funding structure and global health challenges of our times. Rethinking how impact is conceptualized, measured, and scaled, as well as how best it should be integrated into research design is non-negotiable. In this webinar, the APHRC model and experiences in evidence generation, knowledge translation, and impact will be presented. Renowned global health researchers, practitioners, and policymakers will share diverse experiences, challenges, and opportunities in designing and executing impactful research in Africa. The Research Impact to Policy webinar is scheduled for Monday, 25th November from 1600 to 1800 hrs East African Time (Nairobi Time). REGISTER HERE:https://lnkd.in/ex5HKeWQ

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵? A staggering 9.4% of advocates working on tobacco, alcohol, or ultra-processed food regulations report facing actual or threatened physical violence, including harrowing cases like death threats in Nepal and public discreditation campaigns worldwide. 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗳 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀, 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵. Legal threats, surveillance, and bribery are disturbingly common, as noted by Karen A. Evans-Reeves et al. in their 2024 review of intimidation tactics used by unhealthy commodity industries. These corporate strategies are not merely roadblocks but calculated moves to exhaust resources, delay policies, and derail individuals' well-being. Over 12% of documented intimidation involves freedom of information requests weaponized against researchers, aiming to undermine their credibility or slow critical research. The data is clear: public discreditation alone features in 50% of cases, showing a chilling effect on the momentum needed to enact life-saving policies. This isn’t just a fight for better regulations; it’s a fight for the voices demanding them to survive and thrive. Evans-Reeves and her colleagues call for cross-sector collaboration and robust counterstrategies to combat these tactics. When health advocates are targeted, so is the health of nations. 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲? Karen Reeves Britta Matthes Phil Chamberlain Nino Paichadze Anna Gilmore Dr. Mélissa Mialon Luchuo Engelbert Bain

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵? Authorship in global health remains alarmingly skewed. A study by Nassiri-Ansari, Jose, Razif, and Rhule (2024) analyzed 1,269 articles and revealed that over 70% of first and last authors hailed from high-income countries (HICs). Men from HIC institutions dominated the ranks, representing 40.3% of first authors, while women from low-income countries (LICs) comprised a mere 0.4%. Even for research focused on low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), less than half of first authors were in-country affiliates, perpetuating a cycle where those most impacted by global health issues are excluded from shaping the narrative. As highlighted by the authors, systemic barriers, including colonial legacies and biases in knowledge validation, exacerbate this disparity. They argue that global health publishing's persistent inequities hinder collective progress, stressing the urgent need for structural reform in authorship and publishing practices. The challenge is clear: without diverse, inclusive voices, the solutions proposed for global health will remain incomplete. It’s time to reimagine whose voices are amplified and ensure that the global health evidence base truly reflects global perspectives. The status quo isn't just inadequate—it’s part of the problem. Tiffany Nassiri-Ansari Anila Jose Syarifah Ain Alleeya Syed Mohd Razif Emma Rhule, PhD Luchuo Engelbert Bain