Analysis of the mass media coverage of the Gates Foundation Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative
- Miss G Verma, University of Bristol, Centre for Ethics in Medicine, Third Floor, Hampton House, Cotham Hill, Bristol BS6 6AU, UK; gv3652{at}bris.ac.uk
- Received 27 March 2008
- Revised 3 November 2008
- Accepted 10 November 2008
Abstract
The Grand Challenges were launched in 2003 by the Gates Foundation and other collaborators to address the health needs of developing countries. This paper outlines the current problem with health research and development in the context of inequality as conveyed by the 90/10 divide. The paper then looks at the focus and nature of press reporting of global health issues by analysing how press articles have portrayed the Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative. Analysis of the mass media illustrates that the focus of reporting on the Grand Challenges tends to be on utilitarian themes, leaving issues related to justice and equity comparatively under-reported.
Footnotes
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Competing interests: GV is a member of the voluntary student organisation Medsin, and is actively involved with Universities Allied For Essential Medicines, UAEM.
