Rebalancing power in infectious disease modelling: Toward inclusive and contextual approaches
By
Justice Moses K. Aheto ,
If you only eat one bagel today, this is the bagel.
Summary
This article, published in PLOS Global Public Health, argues for rebalancing power dynamics in infectious disease modelling. It critiques the current top-down, Western-centric approach where models are developed by researchers in high-income countries and imposed on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The authors advocate for inclusive, contextual approaches that center local expertise, community knowledge, and equitable partnerships. They propose practical steps such as co-designing models with local stakeholders, investing in LMIC-led research, diversifying funding streams, and reforming publishing and incentive structures to reduce systemic inequities in global health modelling.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledInfectious disease modelling has become a cornerstone of global health decision-making, yet the power to shape these models remains concentrated in a small number of institutions, predominantly in high-income countries.
True equity in modelling requires not just the inclusion of diverse voices, but a fundamental shift in who holds power over the questions asked, the methods used, and the interpretation of results.
Local communities and health systems are not just data sources; they are knowledge holders whose expertise is essential for building models that reflect real-world dynamics.
We call for a rebalancing of power through co-design, capacity strengthening, and structural changes in how modelling research is funded, conducted, and published.
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