The dominance of English as the language of science and, increasingly, global health too often closes the door on the history and experiences of others. In France’s case, careful study of the nation’s struggle to achieve universal health coverage, together with its distinctive approach to global health, has much to offer those who seek to understand the diversity of paths to achieve better health at home and abroad. The two Lancet Series papers on France’s contribution to health, along with comments from French or Francophone leaders, aim to correct this imbalance. They are also an invitation for France to reflect on its challenges and global role.
www.thelancet.com/series/france-nation-and-world
- France: a philosophy for health – Richard Horton, Audrey Ceschia https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30243-4
- Democratising the global health agenda: why we need France – Michel Sidibé https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30060-5
- Liberté, égalité, fraternité…santé – Emmanuel Baron https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)00656-5
- The Institut Pasteur International Network: a century-old global public health powerhouse – Christian Bréchot – https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)00744-3
- REACTing: the French response to infectious disease crises – Jean-François Delfraissy, Yazdan Yazdanpanah, Yves Levy-https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30059-9
- Tackling antimicrobial resistance in France – Marisol Touraine https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30356-7
- Towards a global agenda on health security – François Hollande https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30393-2