![Sample our Health and Social Care journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5938/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Health-Social-Care.jpg"})
Abstract
Background: The Lancet recently declared that it intends to “make mental health one of its campaign focal points”. However, it has been silent on the role it might play in disseminating mental health research.
Aims: To examine The Lancet's track record in publishing mental health research relative to its disease burden.
Methods: Research articles (n = 733) published in The Lancet over a 2.5 year period (2003–2005) were coded according to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) classification system and compared with data from the 2002 GBD study. A range of other characteristics including whether consumers were involved in the research process were coded.
Results: Mental health articles (excluding neurological and substance abuse) accounted for 1.8% of articles but are responsible for a worldwide YLD of 22.8% (25.4% high income countries) and DALYs of 9.0% (14.7% in high income countries).
Conclusion: Despite its commendable mental health advocacy work, mental health research is under-represented in The Lancet. The journal should take steps to ensure that the dissemination of mental health research is not a neglected aspect of their advocacy activities.
Acknowledgements
MB is supported by an Australian Rotary Health Research Fund Ian Scott Fellowship. At the time the study was undertaken, LL was supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council (of Australia) Public Health Postgraduate Research Scholarship.
Declaration of interest: KG is supported by NHMRC Fellowship 425413. The authors undertake mental health research. This might be perceived as a conflict of interest. There are no other conflicts of interest.