Solidarity rhetoric has become a regular feature in global health, particularly in the context of global health emergencies. It is, however, a nebulous concept, differently defined, understood and practiced around the world, from familial contexts to the state and international levels. In the most recently declared Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)1 mpox, we have seen calls for solidarity towards the epicentre, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the broader African region. These calls for solidarity have been largely driven by global health scholars and the Africa Centre for Disease Control.2–4 The tardy and insufficient response5 to these calls contribute to a poignant example of gaps in both our understanding and our practice of solidarity within the international community. It is often the case that the underlying conceptualisations of solidarity between Global South stakeholders are different than that of Global North actors, thus underlining the mudd

Background Quantifying the disease burden among children that could potentially be reduced through improvements in individual economic status and regional economic equality can greatly benefit policy making and resource allocation. However, such quantification has rarely been done. This study aimed to assess the inequality-related burden of acute respiratory infection (ARI) (the leading cause of child mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)) among under five children.Methods This study integrated the Demographic and Health Survey data from 53 countries and linked individual records to a novel proxy of economic development status, the satellite night-time light (NTL). We assessed the number of children affected by ARI attributable to within-country economic disparities (eg, NTL

Introduction Digital adherence technologies (DATs) may enable person-centred tuberculosis (TB) treatment monitoring; however, implementation challenges may undermine their effectiveness. Using the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance framework, we conducted a scoping review to identify contextual factors informing ‘reach’ (DAT engagement by people with TB) and ‘adoption’ (DAT uptake by healthcare providers or clinics).Methods We searched eight databases from 1 January 2000 to 25 April 2023 to identify all TB DAT studies. After extracting qualitative and quantitative findings, using thematic synthesis, we analysed common findings to create meta-themes informing DAT reach or adoption. Meta-themes were further organised using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, which posits technology use is influenced by perceived usefulness, ease of use, social influences and facilitating conditions.Results 66 reports met inclusion criteria, with 61 reportin

Introduction Globally, tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading infectious causes of death, with 1.3 million deaths. Digital adherence technologies (DATs) have the potential to provide person-centred care and improve outcomes. Using the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance (RE-AIM) framework, we conducted a scoping review of DAT implementations for TB treatment.Methods We searched seven databases for papers published between January 2000 and April 2023, using keywords for ‘tuberculosis’ and ‘digital adherence technology’. Articles meeting prespecified inclusion criteria and containing data on RE-AIM domains were included. We defined ‘reach’ as comprising cellphone ownership and engagement by people with TB (PWTB) with DATs, ‘adoption’ as engagement by healthcare providers with DAT programmes, ‘implementation’ as the fidelity of the DAT programme implemented and ‘maintenance’ as longer-term uptake of DATs.Results Of 10 313 records, 102 contributed to the sy

Introduction Over 60% of premature infants are born in Africa or South Asia. Infants born early, small or who become sick after birth have a higher risk of death, poor growth and developmental impairments. Innovative interventions tailored for low- and middle-income countries are essential to help these newborns survive and develop optimally. This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of Hospital to Home (H2H), a discharge and follow-up programme for small and sick newborns in rural Uganda.Methods We compared two cohorts of high-risk hospitalised neonates in Uganda: a historical-comparison cohort receiving standard facility-based care and an intervention cohort that received the H2H programme, a hospital and community spanning package of interventions designed to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes. We compared 6-month corrected neurodevelopmental, growth, nutritional and vaccination outcomes between the cohorts complemented by qualitative intervi

Introduction There is a dearth of evidence regarding the global economic burden of ischaemic heart diseases (IHDs). This systematic review aims to synthesise national-level studies worldwide quantifying the economic burden of IHDs from a provider’s perspective.Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, DARE and EconLit databases from 1 January 2000 to 29 June 2022. We included observational, cost-of-illness and economic modelling studies reporting direct healthcare cost data for IHDs at the national level. At least two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts and full texts, extracted data and assessed quality using a seven-question assessment tool. We synthesised findings by country, focusing on three key economic estimates: total annual costs of IHDs, costs of managing acute IHD episodes and chronic IHD care. We correlated these costs with country-specific macroeconomic measures and disease burden.Results We included 65 national-level studies conducted in 21 countries

Introduction Biannual (ie, every 6 months) mass drug administration of azithromycin has reduced childhood mortality in Niger, but its effects on specific respiratory pathogens are not fully elucidated.Methods Across 2 years of the Macrolides Oraux pour Réduire les Décès avec un Oeil sur la Résistance (MORDOR) study in Niger, we evaluated 1468 nasopharyngeal swabs from children who presented for care with respiratory symptoms. Swabs were tested by quantitative PCR using a customised TaqMan Array Card that included assays for 19 respiratory pathogens.Results Nasopharyngeal detection of Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Streptococcus pneumoniae was common in both azithromycin and placebo communities. The prevalence was reduced in children from azithromycin communities for just two pathogens: Bordetella pertussis and H. influenzae type b (Hib). These children had a 49% and 65% reduction in the prevalence of B. pertussis and Hib in nasopharyngeal swabs, respectively, compare