World Health Day: Putting a Spotlight on Global Health Research

Two hands with palms facing out, painted with a map of the world
April 7th, 2021 is World Health Day, with this year's theme focusing on "building a fairer, healthier world for everyone.” As part of their campaign, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for urgent action to eliminate health inequities and attain better health for all. This is the second World Health Day to occur during the COVID-19 pandemic; as researchers collectively work to address the long and short-term impacts of the pandemic, it is clear that Global Health research will continue to play a critical role in tackling health inequities worldwide.   
In recognition of World Health Day 2021, we've asked some of our nursing & health researchers who are working to advance Global Health research, what 'global health' means to them and to their work:

        DR. PILAR CAMARGO PLAZAS

Headshot of Dr. Pilar Camargo Plazas

As with many other research endeavours, global research is not merely answering a research question. Global health research means respecting community participants and their culture, avoiding the imposition of knowledge and foreign culture, respecting cultural context, assessing risk benefits, and selecting participants fairly.

Through a global health component in my research program, I seek to understand health inequities and developing strategies for reducing health and social inequities in a global context. Globally, the burden of disease and rapidly widening health and social gaps between the wealthy and those living in poverty within and between countries provide an urgent call to reexamine our research approaches as we endeavour to investigate health inequities and health practices with vulnerable groups. As with many other research endeavours, global research is not merely answering a research question. Global health research means respecting community participants and their culture, avoiding the imposition of knowledge and foreign culture, respecting cultural context, assessing risk benefits, and selecting participants fairly. Traditions, cultures, and limited resources must be understood before undertaking a research project in a middle or low-income country. In my research program, a genuine partnership entails a South-North dialogue where researchers from the North value the knowledge and expertise of researchers from the South. Global health research must be linked to mutual understanding, the context, the complexity, and issues within the population under study.

        DR. RYLAN EGAN

We must ensure equity (not equality), understood within the (potentially diverse) health goals, aspirations, and expectations of those our research is aspiring to serve.

Headshot of Dr. Rylan Egan
Global health (both nationally and internationally) must be defined by, for, and in collaboration with participants steeped in the national, ethnic, and/or topic specific research context(s). It is essential in our work that our team avoids uncollaboratively imposing and/or excluding participants from our cultural norms and values. We must ensure equity (not equality), understood within the (potentially diverse) health goals, aspirations, and expectations of those our research is aspiring to serve.

        DR. ROSEMARY WILSON

Headshot of Dr. Rosemary Wilson

In consideration of the work still required to reach an acceptable level of health for all affirmed in the Declaration of Alma-Ata of 1978, and with the widening gap resulting from the pandemic locally, nationally and internationally, the call for the focus on global health remains.  

Global health to me encompasses communities that are local, national and international. In the work we have done in international environments, there is a relationship that develops, grounded in respect, where learning is multi-directional and partnership is the key to success. The participative nature of this approach is consistent with the goal of reducing health inequities and is appropriate in all contexts. In consideration of the work still required to reach an acceptable level of health for all affirmed in the Declaration of Alma-Ata of 1978, and with the widening gap resulting from the pandemic locally, nationally and internationally, the call for the focus on global health remains.