Events of 2016 have underscored divides between people that call to mind, and in some cases mirror, disparities in health and healthcare. At the same time, progress in medical research has provided many reasons for shared optimism.
For this month’s Editorial, PLOS Medicine has invited 7 global health leaders to discuss key developments from 2016 impacting the equitable provision of effective medical care to all populations. The authors—ranging from the inaugural National Institutes of Health Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity to the Dean of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong—share insights from frontline efforts toward racial/ethnic representation in clinical studies, ethical and effective research during outbreaks, controlling high-burden infectious diseases, and provision of healthcare to vulnerable migrants.
Their thoughts on the year highlight unanswered questions, but also reflect the talent and collaborative spirit abundant in the global health research community.
Image Credit: PATH global health, Flickr
Editorial
Towards Equity in Health: Researchers Take Stock
PLOS Medicine: published November 29, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002186
Essay
Will 10 Million People Die a Year due to Antimicrobial Resistance by 2050?
PLOS Medicine: published November 29, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002184
Perspectives
Improving the Pipeline for Developing and Testing Pharmacological Treatments in Pregnancy
PLOS Medicine: published November 1, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002161
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Minimally Invasive Autopsy: A New Paradigm for Understanding Global Health?
PLOS Medicine: published November 22, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002173
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Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention: An Evolving Research Paradigm
PLOS Medicine: published November 22, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002176
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Three Steps to Improve Management of Noncommunicable Diseases in Humanitarian Crises
PLOS Medicine: published November 8, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002180
The Dengue Vaccine Dilemma: Balancing the Individual and Population Risks and Benefits
PLOS Medicine: published November 29, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002182
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Guidelines and Guidance
A Core Outcome Set for the Benefits and Adverse Events of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery: The BARIACT Project
PLOS Medicine: published November 29, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002187
Research Articles
Projected Impact of Mexico’s Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax Policy on Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: A Modeling Study
PLOS Medicine: published November 1, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002158
Pregnancy-Associated Changes in Pharmacokinetics: A Systematic Review
PLOS Medicine: published November 1, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002160
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Risk Factors for Childhood Stunting in 137 Developing Countries: A Comparative Risk Assessment Analysis at Global, Regional, and Country Levels
PLOS Medicine: published November 1, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002164
Promoting Partner Testing and Couples Testing through Secondary Distribution of HIV Self-Tests: A Randomized Clinical Trial
PLOS Medicine: published November 8, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002166
Measures of Malaria Burden after Long-Lasting Insecticidal Net Distribution and Indoor Residual Spraying at Three Sites in Uganda: A Prospective Observational Study
PLOS Medicine: published November 8, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002167
Under-prescribing of Prevention Drugs and Primary Prevention of Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack in UK General Practice: A Retrospective Analysis
PLOS Medicine: published November 15, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002169
Exposure Patterns Driving Ebola Transmission in West Africa: A Retrospective Observational Study
PLOS Medicine: published November 15, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002170
Validity of a Minimally Invasive Autopsy for Cause of Death Determination in Adults in Mozambique: An Observational Study
PLOS Medicine: published November 22, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002171
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Willingness to Know the Cause of Death and Hypothetical Acceptability of the Minimally Invasive Autopsy in Six Diverse African and Asian Settings: A Mixed Methods Socio-Behavioural Study
PLOS Medicine: published November 22, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002172
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Effectiveness of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention in Children under Ten Years of Age in Senegal: A Stepped-Wedge Cluster-Randomised Trial
PLOS Medicine: published November 22, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002175
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Educational Outreach with an Integrated Clinical Tool for Nurse-Led Non-communicable Chronic Disease Management in Primary Care in South Africa: A Pragmatic Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial
PLOS Medicine: published November 22, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002178
Genetic Predisposition to an Impaired Metabolism of the Branched-Chain Amino Acids and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Mendelian Randomisation Analysis
PLOS Medicine: published November 29, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002179
The Long-Term Safety, Public Health Impact, and Cost-Effectiveness of Routine Vaccination with a Recombinant, Live-Attenuated Dengue Vaccine (Dengvaxia): A Model Comparison Study
PLOS Medicine: published November 29, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002181
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Patient-Reported Barriers to Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
PLOS Medicine: published November 29, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002183
Lifestyle Advice Combined with Personalized Estimates of Genetic or Phenotypic Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, and Objectively Measured Physical Activity: A Randomized Controlled Trial
PLOS Medicine: published November 29, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002185
Leukocyte Telomere Length in Relation to 17 Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Cross-Sectional Study of US Adults
PLOS Medicine: published November 29, 2016 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002188