Growing up, Seye Abimbola would watch his mother perform free midwife services in their living room for those who needed it. In Nigeria, where roughly 793 women die per 100,000 live births and 14 women die each day from unsafe abortions, it was life-saving work.

“This made me understand early on how health is made and unmade, what we now call the social and political determinants of health,” Abimbola, who is now the editor-in-chief of the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Global Health, told Public Health Post last year.

The experience also helped set Abimbola on his career path: As a professor of public health and at BMJ Global Health, Abimbola aims to amplify marginalized voices and push global health research to be more equitable.

Founded in 2016 as an offshoot of the BMJ — one of the world’s oldest medical journals — BMJ Global Health is an online journal that publishes content related to, you guessed it, global health. The journal features papers and analyses on the Covid-19 pandemic response, HIV testing, AI and health, and much more.

In 2015, when BMJ Global Health launched under Abimbola’s leadership, he told the George Institute for Global Health that the journal wanted a dedicated space for research that evaluates how factors such as income, education, and public policy can play a role in communities’ health. These social determinants — non-medical conditions in someone’s environment — play a significant role in people’s ability to survive and thrive.

Throughout his career, first at the Ministry of Health in Nigeria and now as an associate professor at the University of Sydney School of Public Health in Australia, Abimbola has emphasized the need for “divestment and decentralization” in global health research.

In practice, this means that, for example, a study in Nigeria should not be targeted to an audience in London, he told Public Health Post. If targeted to people living in Nigeria, the research could have a tangible influence on health outcomes for those living in the country.

For example, research on how to prevent Covid cases in Nigerian communities should be published on a platform accessible to those communities. That way, the practices that research identifies could actually be adopted. If the research is published with an organization based half a world away, the work will do little to actually address the health crisis.

“I can’t think of any scenario where I should do a study in Nigeria with the primary purpose of impressing someone in London,” Abimbola continued. “If we define that as a big chunk of the problem, then we have to find a way to refocus our attention to the right audiences, which would be the local ones in this instance. I should be trying to impress the local people.”

He believes the same mentality needs to be applied to the language used in the research. Terms such as “low- and middle-income countries” divide the world into “unnatural categories,” he argues. This, in turn, shapes the questions scientists and researchers ask and therefore what gets studied.

“The academic global health literature marginalizes a lot of conversations that should be primary — for example, on the role that social learning plays in how knowledge is used to achieve equity,” he wrote in an editorial for BMJ in 2021. “The academic global health literature needs to develop just and inclusive ways of reckoning with knowledge, of all kinds.”

<div class="c-article-footer c-article-footer-cta" data-cid="site/article_footer-1701260918_7809_3029" data-cdata="{"base_type":"Entry","id":23665371,"timestamp":1701255600,"published_timestamp":1701255600,"show_published_and_updated_timestamps":false,"title":"Seye Abimbola hopes to amplify marginalized voices in the global health space ","type":"Feature","url":"https://www.vox.com/23901330/seye-abimbola-eic-bmj-global-health-future-perfect-50-2023","entry_layout":{"key":"unison_split_left","layout":"unison_main","template":"minimal"},"additional_byline":null,"authors":[{"id":10033111,"name":"Rachel DuRose","url":"https://www.vox.com/authors/rachel-durose","twitter_handle":"durosettastone","profile_image_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Br9FLMPOxRbwKAe5OW2I82C9bNU=/512×512/cdn.vox-cdn.com/author_profile_images/196049/RachelDuRosev1.0.jpeg","title":"","email":"","short_author_bio":"is a Future Perfect fellow, covering climate change, housing, mental health, and more. Rachel previously wrote about the workplace, hiring, and executive leadership for Business Insider."}],"byline_enabled":true,"byline_credit_text":"By","byline_serial_comma_enabled":true,"comment_count":0,"comments_enabled":false,"legacy_comments_enabled":false,"coral_comments_enabled":false,"coral_comment_counts_enabled":false,"commerce_disclosure":null,"community_name":"Vox","community_url":"https://www.vox.com/","community_logo":"rnrn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn”,”cross_community”:false,”internal_groups”:[{“base_type”:”EntryGroup”,”id”:112405,”timestamp”:1701259208,”title”:”Approach — Explores solutions or ideas to solve problems”,”type”:”SiteGroup”,”url”:””,”slug”:”approach-explores-solutions-or-ideas-to-solve-problems”,”community_logo”:”rnrn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn”,”community_name”:”Vox”,”community_url”:”https://www.vox.com/”,”cross_community”:false,”entry_count”:200,”always_show”:false,”description”:””,”disclosure”:””,”cover_image_url”:””,”cover_image”:null,”title_image_url”:””,”intro_image”:null,”four_up_see_more_text”:”View All”}],”image”:{“ratio”:”*”,”original_url”:”https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72885610/44_SeyeAbimbola_Final_Dims.0.jpg”,”network”:”unison”,”bgcolor”:”white”,”pinterest_enabled”:false,”caption”:null,”credit”:”Lauren Tamaki for Vox”,”focal_area”:{“top_left_x”:807,”top_left_y”:387,”bottom_right_x”:1113,”bottom_right_y”:693},”bounds”:[0,0,1920,1080],”uploaded_size”:{“width”:1920,”height”:1080},”focal_point”:null,”image_id”:72885610,”alt_text”:”Illustrated portrait of Seye Abimbola”},”hub_image”:{“ratio”:”*”,”original_url”:”https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72885610/44_SeyeAbimbola_Final_Dims.0.jpg”,”network”:”unison”,”bgcolor”:”white”,”pinterest_enabled”:false,”caption”:null,”credit”:”Lauren Tamaki for Vox”,”focal_area”:{“top_left_x”:807,”top_left_y”:387,”bottom_right_x”:1113,”bottom_right_y”:693},”bounds”:[0,0,1920,1080],”uploaded_size”:{“width”:1920,”height”:1080},”focal_point”:null,”image_id”:72885610,”alt_text”:”Illustrated portrait of Seye Abimbola”},”lede_image”:{“ratio”:”*”,”original_url”:”https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72912003/44_SeyeAbimbola_Final_Dims.0.jpg”,”network”:”unison”,”bgcolor”:”white”,”pinterest_enabled”:false,”caption”:null,”credit”:”Lauren Tamaki for Vox”,”focal_area”:{“top_left_x”:807,”top_left_y”:387,”bottom_right_x”:1113,”bottom_right_y”:693},”bounds”:[0,0,1920,1080],”uploaded_size”:{“width”:1920,”height”:1080},”focal_point”:null,”image_id”:72912003,”alt_text”:”Illustrated portrait of Seye Abimbola”},”group_cover_image”:null,”picture_standard_lead_image”:{“ratio”:”*”,”original_url”:”https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72912003/44_SeyeAbimbola_Final_Dims.0.jpg”,”network”:”unison”,”bgcolor”:”white”,”pinterest_enabled”:false,”caption”:null,”credit”:”Lauren Tamaki for Vox”,”focal_area”:{“top_left_x”:807,”top_left_y”:387,”bottom_right_x”:1113,”bottom_right_y”:693},”bounds”:[0,0,1920,1080],”uploaded_size”:{“width”:1920,”height”:1080},”focal_point”:null,”image_id”:72912003,”alt_text”:”Illustrated portrait of Seye Abimbola”,”picture_element”:{“loading”:”eager”,”html”:{},”alt”:”Illustrated portrait of Seye Abimbola”,”default”:{“srcset”:”https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xtFbk53dPucb9-odbF8tw9okHEE=/0x0:1920×1080/320×240/filters:focal(807×387:1113×693)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72912003/44_SeyeAbimbola_Final_Dims.0.jpg 320w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8L74qIonow7LWoPRrCkPw8ccNkg=/0x0:1920×1080/620×465/filters:focal(807×387:1113×693)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72912003/44_SeyeAbimbola_Final_Dims.0.jpg 620w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/i5OHNnfa5QdXDBbO3KSnvDycZc4=/0x0:1920×1080/920×690/filters:focal(807×387:1113×693)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72912003/44_SeyeAbimbola_Final_Dims.0.jpg 920w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/iajYCZ5SSOQfnomRE-eqR9-kwsU=/0x0:1920×1080/1220×915/filters:focal(807×387:1113×693)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72912003/44_SeyeAbimbola_Final_Dims.0.jpg 1220w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/q_Jj-MJF7y5QMXqePw1LFvLAvrI=/0x0:1920×1080/1520×1140/filters:focal(807×387:1113×693)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72912003/44_SeyeAbimbola_Final_Dims.0.jpg 1520w”,”webp_srcset”:”https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VF3VWkNiMbtcWJ0MICceyokhMYQ=/0x0:1920×1080/320×240/filters:focal(807×387:1113×693):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72912003/44_SeyeAbimbola_Final_Dims.0.jpg 320w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Vwbwp3jvfB30ePnV0FSnM5QRs0I=/0x0:1920×1080/620×465/filters:focal(807×387:1113×693):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72912003/44_SeyeAbimbola_Final_Dims.0.jpg 620w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AxpYnkik_FCSmbuhea-DDES6iHg=/0x0:1920×1080/920×690/filters:focal(807×387:1113×693):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72912003/44_SeyeAbimbola_Final_Dims.0.jpg 920w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cYJabjQ6CPB_fNJf2x10HTDHElQ=/0x0:1920×1080/1220×915/filters:focal(807×387:1113×693):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72912003/44_SeyeAbimbola_Final_Dims.0.jpg 1220w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LSP4n_1yp05gp_mdr95gDVqRn94=/0x0:1920×1080/1520×1140/filters:focal(807×387:1113×693):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72912003/44_SeyeAbimbola_Final_Dims.0.jpg 1520w”,”media”:null,”sizes”:”(min-width: 809px) 485px, (min-width: 600px) 60vw, 100vw”,”fallback”:”https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/u9opBINoyFV4DOQ8p-OfiXHy8w0=/0x0:1920×1080/1200×900/filters:focal(807×387:1113×693)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72912003/44_SeyeAbimbola_Final_Dims.0.jpg”},”art_directed”:[]}},”image_is_placeholder”:false,”image_is_hidden”:false,”network”:”vox”,”omits_labels”:false,”optimizable”:false,”promo_headline”:”Seye Abimbola hopes to amplify marginalized voices in the global health space “,”recommended_count”:0,”recs_enabled”:false,”slug”:”23901330/seye-abimbola-eic-bmj-global-health-future-perfect-50-2023″,”dek”:”As editor of BMJ Global Health, Abimbola aims to decentralize global health research. “,”homepage_title”:”Seye Abimbola hopes to amplify marginalized voices in the global health space “,”homepage_description”:”As editor of BMJ Global Health, Abimbola aims to decentralize global health research.”,”show_homepage_description”:false,”title_display”:”Seye Abimbola hopes to amplify marginalized voices in the global health space “,”pull_quote”:null,”voxcreative”:false,”show_entry_time”:true,”show_dates”:true,”paywalled_content”:false,”paywalled_content_box_logo_url”:””,”paywalled_content_page_logo_url”:””,”paywalled_content_main_url”:””,”article_footer_body”:”Most news outlets make their money through advertising or subscriptions. But when it comes to what we’re trying to do at Vox, there are a couple of big issues with relying on ads and subscriptions to keep the lights on:rn
rn
rnFirst, advertising dollars go up and down with the economy. We often only know a few months out what our advertising revenue will be, which makes it hard to plan ahead.rn
rn
rnSecond, we’re not in the subscriptions business. Vox is here to help everyone understand the complex issues shaping the world — not just the people who can afford to pay for a subscription. We believe that’s an important part of building a more equal society. And we can’t do that if we have a paywall. rn
rn
rnSo even though advertising is still our biggest source of revenue, we also seek grants and reader support. (And no matter how our work is funded, we have strict guidelines on editorial independence.)rn
rn
rnIf you also believe that everyone deserves access to trusted high-quality information, will you make a gift to Vox today? Any amount helps. “,”article_footer_header”:”Will you support Vox’s explanatory journalism?”,”use_article_footer”:true,”article_footer_cta_annual_plans”:”{rn “default_plan”: 1,rn “plans”: [rn {rn “amount”: 50,rn “plan_id”: 99546rn },rn {rn “amount”: 100,rn “plan_id”: 99547rn },rn {rn “amount”: 150,rn “plan_id”: 99548rn },rn {rn “amount”: 200,rn “plan_id”: 99549rn }rn ]rn}”,”article_footer_cta_button_annual_copy”:”year”,”article_footer_cta_button_copy”:”Yes, I’ll give”,”article_footer_cta_button_monthly_copy”:”month”,”article_footer_cta_default_frequency”:”monthly”,”article_footer_cta_monthly_plans”:”{rn “default_plan”: 0,rn “plans”: [rn {rn “amount”: 5,rn “plan_id”: 99543rn },rn {rn “amount”: 10,rn “plan_id”: 99544rn },rn {rn “amount”: 25,rn “plan_id”: 99545rn },rn {rn “amount”: 50,rn “plan_id”: 46947rn }rn ]rn}”,”article_footer_cta_once_plans”:”{rn “default_plan”: 0,rn “plans”: [rn {rn “amount”: 20,rn “plan_id”: 69278rn },rn {rn “amount”: 50,rn “plan_id”: 48880rn },rn {rn “amount”: 100,rn “plan_id”: 46607rn },rn {rn “amount”: 250,rn “plan_id”: 46946rn }rn ]rn}”,”use_article_footer_cta_read_counter”:true,”use_article_footer_cta”:true,”groups”:[{“base_type”:”EntryGroup”,”id”:111287,”timestamp”:1701257225,”title”:”The Future Perfect 50″,”type”:”SiteGroup”,”url”:”https://www.vox.com/future-perfect-50″,”slug”:”future-perfect-50″,”community_logo”:”rnrn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn”,”community_name”:”Vox”,”community_url”:”https://www.vox.com/”,”cross_community”:false,”entry_count”:94,”always_show”:false,”description”:”The scientists, thinkers, scholars, writers, and activists building a more perfect future.”,”disclosure”:””,”cover_image_url”:””,”cover_image”:null,”title_image_url”:””,”intro_image”:null,”four_up_see_more_text”:”View All”,”primary”:true},{“base_type”:”EntryGroup”,”id”:65837,”timestamp”:1701257145,”title”:”Public Health”,”type”:”SiteGroup”,”url”:”https://www.vox.com/public-health”,”slug”:”public-health”,”community_logo”:”rnrn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn”,”community_name”:”Vox”,”community_url”:”https://www.vox.com/”,”cross_community”:false,”entry_count”:584,”always_show”:false,”description”:”Do soda taxes fight obesity? How did Juul hook American teens? Vox tackles all your questions about public health issues and trends.”,”disclosure”:””,”cover_image_url”:””,”cover_image”:null,”title_image_url”:””,”intro_image”:null,”four_up_see_more_text”:”View All”,”primary”:false},{“base_type”:”EntryGroup”,”id”:76815,”timestamp”:1701257225,”title”:”Future Perfect”,”type”:”SiteGroup”,”url”:”https://www.vox.com/future-perfect”,”slug”:”future-perfect”,”community_logo”:”rnrn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn”,”community_name”:”Vox”,”community_url”:”https://www.vox.com/”,”cross_community”:false,”entry_count”:1749,”always_show”:false,”description”:”Finding the best ways to do good. “,”disclosure”:””,”cover_image_url”:””,”cover_image”:null,”title_image_url”:”https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/16290809/future_perfect_sized.0.jpg”,”intro_image”:null,”four_up_see_more_text”:”View All”,”primary”:false},{“base_type”:”EntryGroup”,”id”:112369,”timestamp”:1701257145,”title”:”Health”,”type”:”SiteGroup”,”url”:”https://www.vox.com/health”,”slug”:”health”,”community_logo”:”rnrn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn”,”community_name”:”Vox”,”community_url”:”https://www.vox.com/”,”cross_community”:false,”entry_count”:957,”always_show”:false,”description”:”Vox’s coverage of all things health, including personal health, public health, mental health, and more. “,”disclosure”:””,”cover_image_url”:””,”cover_image”:null,”title_image_url”:””,”intro_image”:null,”four_up_see_more_text”:”View All”,”primary”:false}],”layout”:””,”featured_placeable”:false,”video_placeable”:false,”package_label”:{“url”:”https://www.vox.com/23950804/future-perfect-50-list-2023-ai-animal-rights-poverty-health-climate”,”title”:”The 2023 Future Perfect 50″},”package_logo”:null,”disclaimer”:null,”volume_placement”:”lede”,”video_autoplay”:false,”youtube_url”:”http://bit.ly/voxyoutube”,”facebook_video_url”:””,”play_in_modal”:true,”user_preferences_for_privacy_enabled”:false,”show_branded_logos”:true,”uses_video_lede”:false,”image_brightness”:”image-light”,”display_logo_lockup”:false,”svg_logo_data”:””}”>