Integral to inclusion: amplifying public health leaders with disabilities

The Lancet Public Health and Bonnielin Swenor brilliantly highlighted the urgent need for greater disability inclusion.1The HealthDisability—a neglected issue in public health.Lancet Health. 2021; 6: e346Summary Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (3) Google Scholar, 2Swenor BK Including all health equity efforts: an call to action.Lancet e359-e360Summary Scholar These excellent pieces add symphony of other advocates with disabilities allies’ voices who are hoping catalyse efforts inclusion a post-pandemic world.3Nagesh S Rotenberg A new era accessibility: on persons post-COVID world. Hindu (Chennai).https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-new-era-of-accessibility/article31948035.eceDate: June 30, 2020Date accessed: 1, 2021Google 4Shakespeare T Ndagire F Seketi QE Triple jeopardy: disabled people COVID-19 pandemic.Lancet. 397: 1331-1333Summary (16) However, calls better data, inclusion, representation have periodically graced pages top-tier medical journals, alongside studies revealing damming disparities years.5The LancetPrioritising universal coverage.Lancet. 2019; 394: 187Summary (12) Despite growing evidence inequity tenacious advocacy, there substantial gaps meaningful disabilities. highlights how including researchers “enriches our expands research focus”.2Swenor more leaders can forge ultimately needed. Equally, professional schools, journals’ editorial boards, policy makers make open, measurable commitments ensuring disabilities, similar we report gender parity, diversity, forms representation. commitments, along strengthening data monitoring, worker training, efforts, provide framework inclusive systems. Without multipronged approach that emphasises amplifying leadership, is risk perpetuating or stalling necessary progress this potentially pivotal moment. “Nothing about us, without us” should be than words, but prompt start conversations decision making. I declare no competing interests. actionGlobally, over 1 billion, one seven people, disability.1 This estimate community largest minority groups world, part communities. Full-Text Open AccessDisability—a healthMore billion around 15% global population, some form . Disabilities include long-term sensory, mental, intellectual, physical impairments impact people's daily lives, care, support needs. prevalence will most certainly increase substantially coming decades as population ages. Nonetheless, often by systems experience profound inequalities wellbeing outcomes. Access