The Global Health Research Agenda: A Case-Study Approach

Scarce funding for health research is a problem that affects many countries. The problem is particularly acute for low-income countries, as they suffer from the double constraints of limited financial resources to fund necessary research themselves and the low priority given to their national health problems by the global research community. These constraints have contributed to the global disparity between disease burden and research funding termed the “10-90 gap.” To close this gap, it is essential that the health research conducted in low-income countries addresses their own research needs. This study addresses two main issues within the health research environments of Cameroon, Cuba, the Gambia, Lao PDR,Nicaragua, and the Philippines, with particular focus placed on research activities in light of national research needs. It examines the key factors influencing health research agendas and questions whether or not the health research conducted in low-income countries truly addresses their health and health research needs.