Richard Horton, The Lancet: "Immediate access to reliable health information should be the hallmark of a just society"

20 January, 2022

HIFA thanks Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of The Lancet, for continuing to champion the importance of access to reliable health information. 

In this week's issue of the journal he writes: 'The argument for immediate access to new health research findings is a straightforward matter of justice, not expediency. It's time for editors to say so clearly and forcefully.' Read in full

On the same day (15 January) he tweeted"Immediate access to reliable health information should be the hallmark of a just society"

HIFA stands firmly with Richard Horton and The Lancet on this vital issue. The Lancet has long been a supporter of HIFA and originally published the rationale for HIFA back in 2004. We look forward to continue our collaboration to accelerate progress towards universal access to reliable healthcare information. 

We would add that the moral imperative for access to reliable healthcare information goes beyond access to journals. It is about ensuring that *every* person worldwide has access to the reliable healthcare information they need to protect their own health and the health of others, and that they are that they are empowered to tell the difference between reliable information and misinformation.

Neil Pakenham-Walsh, HIFA Coordinator

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