The World Health Organization’s Global Observatory on Health Research and Development (R&D) has released its latest findings, revealing stark disparities in global health research funding, resource allocation, and capacity between high-income and low- and middle-income countries. The commentary “Tracking global resources and capacity for health research: time to reassess strategies and investment decisions” published in Health Research Policy and systems in September 2023 sheds light on the critical need to reassess strategies and investment decisions in health R&D.
Addressing historical inequities
The COVID-19 pandemic and recent outbreaks like mpox underscore the urgency and importance of enhancing the availability and equitable distribution of resources for health research worldwide. Despite previous discussions and recommendations, little progress has been made in rectifying the imbalances in resource allocation for health research between affluent and less affluent nations. This issue is crucial not only for emergency preparedness but also for the global mission to improve population health equitably.
Recognizing the lack of advancement in this area, Member States of the World Health Organization called for the establishment of the Global Observatory on Health Research and Development which was launched in January 2017. Its primary objective is to consolidate, monitor, and analyze pertinent information on health R&D to inform the coordination and prioritization of new investments.
Key findings from the Observatory
The commentary highlights four key areas of concern based on the Observatory’s analysis over the 5 years since its inception in 2017:
- Grant funding disparities: The analysis of grants for health research by major international funders in 2020 showed that low-income countries received only 0.2% of all grant funding. Only 0.2% of all grant funding for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) was allocated to institutions in low- and middle-income countries. Funding for priority areas like neglected tropical diseases remained at 0.6%.
- Human resource disparities: High-income countries had approximately 56 times more health researchers per million inhabitants than low-income countries, perpetuating the inequality in research capacity.
- Higher education opportunities: Low-income countries had the fewest higher education institutions per million people compared to other income groups, limiting opportunities for research training.
- Meeting global R&D targets: Many countries failed to meet the recommended targets for health R&D expenditures as a percentage of GDP or the allocation of official development assistance to medical research.
The need for action
The findings underscore the persistent disparities in health research funding and capacity. Despite decades of recognition, progress remains elusive. To address these issues, the commentary calls for:
Systematic data collection: Countries must routinely collect data to track health R&D indicators.
Research prioritization: Funders of health R&D should prioritize research that aligns with both global and local public health needs.
Data sharing: More data sharing is essential, particularly from low- and middle-income countries, to enable better coordination and informed decisions.
Global cooperation: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the opportunity for global cooperation and action to create a more equitable future in global health research and development.
The Global Observatory on Health R&D continues to serve as a comprehensive platform to track and analyze health R&D data, providing critical insights into the progress and challenges in this vital field. With concerted effort, the global community can bridge the gap in health research and development, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes for all.
