A new commentary in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia reveals a stark reality: South Asia bears the brunt of climate-related health crises yet remains marginalized in global research agendas. The region’s scientists and institutions control only 22% of research ownership, while Global North entities dominate 78% of funding decisions and 71% of research leadership positions.
This disparity is not accidental. The authors argue that historical colonial structures continue to shape modern knowledge systems, positioning wealthy institutions as knowledge producers and researchers from affected regions as study subjects rather than leaders. The commentary calls for a fundamental shift toward equitable partnerships that recognize South Asian expertise and prioritize locally-driven solutions.
True health equity in climate science requires redistributing power and resources. Read the full article on GMJ Newsroom.
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