Power, Place, and Publication: A Bibliometric Analysis of Authorship Equity in AJTMH (2015-2025)
1
Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
2
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
3
Botswana-Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
4
University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
5
New York University, New York, United States
6
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Massachusetts, United States
7
Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, United States
8
Mary Heersink School of Global Health and Social Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
9
Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
10
Department of Biology, University of Toronto, Missisauga, Canada
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A696
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Research in global health continues to reflect structural inequities in authorship, with institutions from high-income countries (HIC) frequently leading studies conducted in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC)1,2. As a major outlet for global health research, The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (AJTMH) influences whose perspectives are represented on a global scale, highlighting their responsibility in promoting equity in publishing. This study aimed to assess patterns of authorship representation in AJTMH publications from 2020 to 2025.
METHODS:
A bibliometric analysis of a random sample of 150 AJTMH articles published from January 2020 to July 2025 was conducted. Data was extracted using Covidence, including first and last author gender, institutional affiliation (classified using World Bank income groups), study location, and funding source. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests examined associations between author characteristics and key study variables.
RESULTS:
Among first authors, 64.7% (n=97) were male and 35.3% (n=53) were female; 63.3% were from HICs and 36.7% from LMICs. Among last authors, 71.3% were male and 25.3% female, with 62% from HICs. For studies that were funded, the majority of funding came from HIC governments (n=38), academic institutions (n=19), and philanthropic sources (n=14). Significant associations were found between first author income classification and study location (χ²=98.36, p=0.0017) and between first author income classification and funding source (χ²=16.75, p=0.019). LMIC first author representation did not change significantly over time (p=0.095).
CONCLUSIONS:
AJTMH authorship remains disproportionately concentrated among male researchers affiliated with HIC institutions, even for studies conducted in LMIC settings. While this single-journal case study cannot capture larger publication ecosystems, the findings highlight inequalities in authorship within a prominent global health journal. Addressing these imbalances will require targeted actions by journals, institutions, and funders to decolonise and promote equitable publishing on a global scale.
Research in global health continues to reflect structural inequities in authorship, with institutions from high-income countries (HIC) frequently leading studies conducted in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC)1,2. As a major outlet for global health research, The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (AJTMH) influences whose perspectives are represented on a global scale, highlighting their responsibility in promoting equity in publishing. This study aimed to assess patterns of authorship representation in AJTMH publications from 2020 to 2025.
METHODS:
A bibliometric analysis of a random sample of 150 AJTMH articles published from January 2020 to July 2025 was conducted. Data was extracted using Covidence, including first and last author gender, institutional affiliation (classified using World Bank income groups), study location, and funding source. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests examined associations between author characteristics and key study variables.
RESULTS:
Among first authors, 64.7% (n=97) were male and 35.3% (n=53) were female; 63.3% were from HICs and 36.7% from LMICs. Among last authors, 71.3% were male and 25.3% female, with 62% from HICs. For studies that were funded, the majority of funding came from HIC governments (n=38), academic institutions (n=19), and philanthropic sources (n=14). Significant associations were found between first author income classification and study location (χ²=98.36, p=0.0017) and between first author income classification and funding source (χ²=16.75, p=0.019). LMIC first author representation did not change significantly over time (p=0.095).
CONCLUSIONS:
AJTMH authorship remains disproportionately concentrated among male researchers affiliated with HIC institutions, even for studies conducted in LMIC settings. While this single-journal case study cannot capture larger publication ecosystems, the findings highlight inequalities in authorship within a prominent global health journal. Addressing these imbalances will require targeted actions by journals, institutions, and funders to decolonise and promote equitable publishing on a global scale.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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