Global Health Collection

Welcome to the Journal of General Internal Medicine (JGIM) Global Health Collection. General Internal Medicine is a diverse and multifaceted field that serves as the backbone of healthcare systems around the world. As a global entity, it encompasses a broad spectrum of clinical care, research, and education, addressing complex, multisystem diseases and promoting comprehensive patient care. Internists work at the intersection of science and humanity, navigating different healthcare infrastructures, cultural contexts, and resource settings. Despite variations in practice, internal medicine unites practitioners worldwide in their shared commitment to understanding and treating the full range of adult health conditions, emphasizing preventive care, evidence-based practice, and patient-centered approaches. This interconnectedness allows internists to learn from each other’s experiences, share best practices, and adapt innovations to diverse global needs, ultimately advancing the health and well-being of communities everywhere. As the journal’s scope and reach continue to expand, we are seeing an increasing variety of submissions from around the world. Authors share approaches to addressing issues that are sometimes unique to their settings, yet often relevant to internists everywhere. While some of the articles in this collection were solicited, many were submitted spontaneously, reflecting the broad, global reach that JGIM has developed.

This collection is distinguished by its diversity—both in terms of geographic origin and content. It includes articles spanning epidemiology, health policy, health services research, diversity, social determinants of health, and medical education. It addresses ethical considerations, such as interactions with the pharmaceutical industry, and the management of conditions commonly seen by internists, like diabetes and fatty liver disease, but in unique, context-specific settings. The collection also explores topics like job satisfaction and empathy in international settings, featuring contributions from Central, East, and South Asia, as well as Africa, Europe, and Latin America. Additionally, it highlights U.S.-based papers with global health themes, such as a call to action from SGIM members to advocate for global health improvements.

We hope you enjoy reading these articles as much as we have enjoyed curating them. We also hope that this collection reinforces that the challenges we face are more similar than different. While we navigate distinct social, healthcare, and medical education systems and confront diverse technological changes, as internists, we share a common drive to understand the “how” and “why” behind these issues. By learning from one another, we can gain greater insight into our shared struggles and strengthen our collective efforts.