Combating editorial racism in psychiatric publications.

Most readers of this journal will know something about global inequalities but something about global inequalities but may not fully realise their extent. The use-may not fully realise their extent. The useful reminder is the 'nine to one' rule: 90% ful reminder is the 'nine to one' rule: 90% of health resources are consumed by 10% of health resources are consumed by 10% of the richest countries (Global Forum for of the richest countries (Global Forum for Health Research, 2000). This ratio is begin-Health Research, 2000). This ratio is beginning to improve a little (the aim is to reach ning to improve a little (the aim is to reach an 80/20 ratio in 10 years), although an 80/20 ratio in 10 years), although within-country inequalities may be increas-within-country inequalities may be increasing (Goesling, 2001). The same inequality ing (Goesling, 2001). The same inequality applies to even the humble editorial offices applies to even the humble editorial offices of medical journals; our publication rates of medical journals; our publication rates mirror closely the nine to one rule, with mirror closely the nine to one rule, with most of our articles coming from richer most of our articles coming from richer countries (Patel & Sumathipala, 2001). countries (Patel & Sumathipala, 2001). Readers of the Readers of the Journal Journal will note that the will note that the World Health Organization discussed this World Health Organization discussed this matter last year (Tyrer, 2004) and a consen-matter last year (Tyrer, 2004) and a consensus statement has now been issued jointly sus statement has now been issued jointly by that organisation and the editors of by that organisation and the editors of scientific journals (World Health Organiza-scientific journals (World Health Organization & Joint Editors, 2004). The aim of this tion & Joint Editors, 2004). The aim of this consensus statement is an attempt to consensus statement is an attempt to reverse the publication bias that currently reverse the publication bias that currently favours authors from wealthy countries. favours authors from wealthy countries. Whether it succeeds is for history to note, Whether it succeeds is for history to note, but whatever the outcome it is worth the but whatever the outcome it is worth the attempt. attempt. A term that was never mentioned 10 years A term that was never mentioned 10 years ago is relevant to this discussion: ago is relevant to this discussion: institutional …