In 2024, journals across the Journal of Global Health (JoGH) group published a wide range of studies examining the economic, policy, and systems dimensions of health in diverse global settings. Several papers focused on the burden and costs of major health conditions, including non-communicable diseases, rare endocrine disorders, myopia, and acute respiratory infections. Studies explored gender disparities in productivity losses from non-communicable diseases in Mexico, global economic determinants of health outcomes, and the cross-country relationship between economic factors and adolescent obesity. Other analyses evaluated the cost-effectiveness of interventions such as influenza vaccination in high-risk populations, tuberculosis screening models, myopia control strategies, and cervical cancer screening approaches, underscoring the importance of economic evidence in guiding health investments.

A number of contributions examined health systems performance, service delivery, and policy implementation. These included assessments of health system strengthening priorities in Nepal, maternal education and child development outcomes in Uganda, and community-based pregnancy support interventions in Ghana. Additional studies explored the maintenance of essential maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as national efforts to implement international health regulations and veterinary service frameworks in Kenya. Work on Nigeria’s surgical plan demonstrated how media engagement can support advocacy for equitable access to essential surgical care.

Emerging themes in innovation, resilience, and cross-sectoral approaches were also evident. Papers examined the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in reducing hospitalisation and mortality, the role of artificial intelligence and data science in addressing climate-related respiratory health challenges in Africa, and the integration of screening and treatment strategies for cervical cancer in Uganda. Together, these contributions reflect a growing emphasis on cost-effectiveness, equity, health system resilience, and technological innovation in global health policy and economics.

Below, we present our selection of these contributions, listed alphabetically by the surname of the first author:

  • Dumka N, Gurung A, Hannah E, Goel S, Kotwal A. Understanding key factors for strengthening Nepal’s healthcare needs: health systems perspectives. Journal of Global Health Reports. 2024;8:e2024010.

  • Gallego A, López-Gil JF. The role of individual and contextual economic factors in obesity among adolescents: A cross-sectional study including 143 160 participants from 41 countries. J Glob Health. 2024;14:04035.

  • Guerrero-López CM, Serván-Mori E, Jan S, Downey L, Heredia-Pi I, Orozco-Núñez E, et al. Gender disparities in lost productivity resulting from non-communicable diseases in Mexico, 2005-2021. J Glob Health. 2024;14:04121.

  • Hassan MZ, Jubayer Biswas MAA, Shirin T, Rahman M, Chowdhury F, Azziz-Baumgartner E, et al. Cost-effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccination in WHO-defined high-risk populations in Bangladesh. J Glob Health. 2024;14:04126.

  • Irandoust K, Daroudi R, Tajvar M, Yaseri M. Assessing health determinants worldwide: Econometric analysis of the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2000-18 - Highlighting impactful factors on DALY, YLL, and YLD indicators. J Glob Health. 2024;14:04051.

  • Jakubowski A, Aborigo RA, Kuwolamo I, Meredith JD, Abuosi AA. It takes a village: A pilot cross-randomized trial to enhance pregnancy care and support in northern Ghana. J Glob Health. 2024;14:04217.

  • Kakwangire P, Ngari M, Muhoozi G, Westerberg AC, Atukunda P, Iversen PO. Associations between sociodemographic exposures, growth and development during infancy with development at the age of eight years among children: Analysis of a maternal education trial in rural Uganda. J Glob Health. 2024;14:04228.

  • Liu L, Shi Y, Li Y, Wu W, Tian Y, Fan X, et al. The health and economic burden of rare endocrine disease: Often ignored, always important. J Glob Health. 2024;14:04249.

  • Muturi M, Mwatondo A, Shimizu K, Chepkorir K, Kimonye K, Nanyingi M, et al. First National Bridging Workshop on International Health Regulations 2005 and Performance of Veterinary Services Pathway in Kenya. J Glob Health. 2024;14:03045.

  • Razimoghadam M, Daroudi R, Yaseri M. The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in preventing hospitalisation and mortality: A nationwide cross-sectional study in Iran. J Glob Health. 2024;14:05026.

  • Sagastume D, Serra A, Gerlach N, Portela A, Beňová L. Interventions to maintain essential services for maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review of evidence from low- and middle-income countries. J Glob Health. 2024;14:05024.

  • Seyi-Olajide JO, Aria ON, Obi N (Nk), Lobi P, Ameh EA. Implementation of Nigeria’s surgical plan: leveraging media engagement for cleft lip and palate to drive advocacy for access to surgical healthcare. Journal of Global Health Reports. 2024;8:e2024018.

  • So C, Lian J, McGhee SM, Sum RWM, Lam AKC, Yap MKH. Lifetime cost-effectiveness of myopia control intervention for the children population. J Glob Health. 2024;14:04183.

  • Sowunmi AO, Eze OI, Osadolor U, Iseolorunkanmi A, Adeloye D. Leveraging AI and data science to mitigate the respiratory health impacts of climate change in Africa: Organisation, costs, and challenges. J Glob Health. 2024;14:03051.

  • Sultanov M, van der Schans J, Koot JA, Greuter MJ, de Zeeuw J, Nakisige C, et al. Early evaluation of a screen-and-treat strategy using high-risk HPV testing for Uganda: Implications for screening coverage and treatment. J Glob Health. 2024;14:04157.

  • Xu X, Zhang T, Miao Y, Li X, Li Y. Management cost of acute respiratory infections in older adults in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Glob Health. 2024;14:04165.

  • Yang CC, Shih YJ, Ayles H, Godfrey-Faussett P, Claassens M, Lin HH. Cost-effectiveness analysis of a prediction model for community-based screening of active tuberculosis. J Glob Health. 2024;14:04226.

We hope that readers of JoGH Economics and Policy will find these studies useful for informing research, policy, and practice across diverse global contexts.