<2>Language and Geographical Bias Limits Global Health Research
<3>The Exclusion of Non-English Research from the Global Spotlight
<4>As the world grapples with pressing global health challenges, it is imperative that research is conducted and disseminated in a manner that is inclusive of diverse languages and geographic regions. However, the reality is that a significant proportion of research remains inaccessible due to language barriers and geographical biases. This exclusion has far-reaching consequences, undermining the principles of evidence-based medicine and limiting the development of effective global health policies.
<5>The Dominance of English in Scientific Publishing
<6>One of the primary reasons for this exclusion is the dominance of English in scientific publishing. Estimates suggest that as much as 98% of scientific output is published in English, leaving a significant proportion of research in non-English languages overlooked and underutilized. This language barrier is particularly pronounced in biomedical areas with strong regional variations in health systems or disease burden, where research in local languages is often the most relevant and rigorously conducted.
<7>The Consequences of Language Restrictions
<8>Language restrictions have a profound impact on the dissemination and utilization of research. Studies published in non-English languages are often excluded from citation analyses, clinical guidelines, and policy