A new article:
Collaborations in global health often aim to address specific public health needs in low-resource settings but are often impacted by power imbalances between participants. These hierarchies can limit the involvement of individuals from low-resource settings in decision-making processes and can lead to outcomes that favor those with higher resources. In a study conducted by investigators from Yale School of Medicine and the University of Liberia’s College of Health Services, the experiences of collaborators in post-war, post-Ebola Liberia were examined.
The researchers interviewed participants to find that the power to set priorities for global health work was primarily held by those with financial resources, with plans being implemented to meet the expectations of donors. Factors contributing to this power imbalance included the donor’s history of engagement, as well as their levels of transparency and accountability. The study emphasizes the need for greater equity in global health partnerships, highlighting the importance of addressing accountability in these collaborations.
For more information on this study, titled “Exploring equity in global health collaborations: a qualitative study of donor and recipient power dynamics in Liberia,” by Cakouros et al., published in BMJ Global Health, visit https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2023-014399
