What happens to global health research: analysis of the full‐length publication rates of research abstracts presented at two major global health conferences. (30th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rajaguru, Praveen P.; Premkumar, Ajay; Sheth, Neil P.
• Is Part Of: Health information and libraries journal. Volume 38:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 49
• Page End: 60
• Publication Date: 2019-12-30
• Subjects: global health -- information dissemination -- journals -- publication output -- publishers and publishing -- PubMed; Medical libraries -- Periodicals; Public health libraries -- Periodicals; Life sciences libraries -- Periodicals; Medical libraries -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Public health libraries -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Information science -- Periodicals; 026.61094105
• DOI: 10.1111/hir.12296
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-1834

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Global health research has been expanding rapidly. The Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) and Global Health and Innovation Conference (GHIC) are the two major conferences for global health research. It is unclear how much of the presented research goes on to full‐length publication. Objectives: This study sought to determine publication rates and journals of CUGH and GHIC research. Methods: A total of 1449 abstracts from CUGH and GHIC from 2014 to 2015 were searched by title, author and keywords using Google Scholar and PubMed. Publications were categorised according to WHO Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) categories. Results: Research was published in 293 journals at a rate of 34.0%, within an average of 15.1 months. The 15 MEDLINE indexed global health journals accounted for just 5.5% of publications. Discussion: Despite growth in global health research, publication rates from the two major conferences are low. The majority of publications in journals are not MEDLINE indexed global health journals. Improved publication and consolidation of global health research is critical. Conclusion: Global health conference publication rates are low. Effective dissemination is critical as the field grows. This may require increased publishing support, improved indexing and consolidation of global health research.