Assessing how global health partnerships function: an equity-informed critical interpretive synthesis

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Health Equity
• International Relations

Background:

• Global health partnerships (GHPs) involve diverse stakeholders with varying needs and interests.
• GHPs operate within complex political and economic landscapes, influencing their dynamics.
• A critical interpretive synthesis examined reported assessments of North-South GHPs to develop an equity-sensitive tool.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically analyze reported assessments of global health partnerships.
• To identify factors influencing equity and power dynamics in North-South partnerships.
• To inform the development of an equity-sensitive tool for GHPs.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a critical interpretive synthesis of 30 peer-reviewed articles.
• Analyzed articles for power dynamics, equity, inequities, and challenges in North-South partnerships.
• Focused on reported assessments of partnership phases, governance, work, performance, impacts, and inclusion.

Main Results:

• Assessments often focused on research, capacity-building, or health services, with less attention to sociopolitical contexts.
• Equity issues were often mentioned but rarely explored in depth, with limited inclusion of all partner voices.
• GHPs were sometimes portrayed as unilaterally beneficial, overlooking power asymmetries and macroeconomic influences.
• Findings indicate GHPs can reinforce inequities if power imbalances are not actively mitigated.

Conclusions:

• Enhancing GHPs requires focusing on inclusion and addressing North-South and South-South inequities.
• A relational, equity-centered approach prioritizing social justice, humility, and mutual benefits is essential.
• Continuous examination of equity implications in all aspects of partnering is necessary for equitable outcomes.