The use of imagery in global health: an analysis of infectious disease documents and a framework to guide practice
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Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We report an empirical analysis of the use of imagery by the key actors in global health who set policy and strategy, and we provide a comprehensive overview, particularly related to images used in reports on vaccination and antimicrobial resistance. The narrative currently depicted in imagery is one of power imbalances, depicting women and children from low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) with less dignity, respect, and power than those from high-income countries. The absence of any evidence of consent for using intrusive and out-of-context images, particularly of children in LMICs, is concerning. The framework we have developed provides a platform for global health actors to redefine their intentions and recommission appropriate images that are relevant to the topic, respect the integrity of all individuals depicted, are accompanied by evidence of consent, and are equitable in representation. Adhering to these standards will help to avoid inherent biases that lead to insensitive content and misrepresentation, stigmatisation, and racial stereotyping.
Date Issued
2023-01-01
Date Acceptance
2022-10-19
Citation
The Lancet Global Health, 2023, 11 (1), pp.e155-e164
ISSN
2214-109X
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
e155
End Page
e164
Journal / Book Title
The Lancet Global Health
Volume
11
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an
Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
License URL
Publication Status
Published