Introduction Global disparities in scientific research disproportionately favor high-income countries (HICs), limiting contributions from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In allergology, this inequity restricts diverse perspectives and constrains advancements in addressing allergic diseases, which disproportionately affects underserved populations. Methods This study analyzed the contributions of 41 allergy journals listed in the 2024 Journal Citation Reports . Data on publication volume, citation impact, article processing charges (APCs), and editorial board representation were collected. Countries were classified as HICs or LMICs based on World Bank rankings. Descriptive statistics and comparative analyses were used to evaluate the disparities between HICs and LMICs. Results LMICs accounted for only 18.6% of the total publications, compared to a median of 85% from HICs, and only 1 journal included a low-income country among its top contributors. Journals received contributions from a median of 8 HICs versus 2 LMICs. APCs presented a median cost of 3090 USD, posing a significant financial barrier. Geographic alignment was observed between editorial boards and contributing countries, further limiting LMIC representation. Conclusion Systemic barriers, including high APCs numbers and underrepresentation on editorial boards, limit the contribution in global allergology. Addressing these disparities requires reducing financial obstacles, expanding capacity-building initiatives, and ensuring equitable editorial representation. Creating inclusive research ecosystems can enhance global knowledge dissemination and improve outcomes for populations disproportionately affected by allergic diseases.
Noyola-Pérez et al. (Sat,) studied this question.