Editorial dole
infectious and parasitic diseases wreak havoc in poor countries. But authors and editors from these nations are significantly under-represented in journals that publish research on tropical medicine. This is the finding of a study published in the British Medical Journal (Vol 328, No 7450, May 22, 2004). Researchers from us-based Princeton University and Swiss Tropical Institute have conducted the study.
They reviewed the geographical origin of contributors to leading journals that publish research on tropical medicine. The results were then tallied with the United Nations Human Development Index (hdi), which ranks countries according to life expectancy, income and education levels. More than 70 per cent of editorial and advisory board members for seven leading journals were from rich nations (with high hdi) and just five per cent from poor countries (see table: Editorial advice...).
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These findings are in contrast with the common occurrence of collaborations between scientists of rich and poor countries. The authors suggest a range of initiatives to redress the imbalance, including establishing regional offices for journals in tropical countries.