Global Health Database and Archive: A Comprehensive Resource for Public Health Research
In the field of medical health science, access to high-quality, peer-reviewed literature is essential for advancing public health practices. The Global Health database serves as a primary bibliographic resource, focusing on research literature within the public health and medical health science sectors. By indexing a vast array of academic journals and supplementary sources, it provides researchers and practitioners with a centralized hub for scientific evidence.
The database indexes information from more than 7,000 academic journals, alongside reports, books, and conference proceedings. Since 1973, it has amassed over 4 million scientific records, continuing to grow with approximately 90,000 new indexed and abstracted records added annually. Its global reach is extensive, drawing from publications in 158 countries and 50 different languages; to ensure accessibility, any relevant non-English papers are translated into English. The collection also includes specialized materials such as patents, thesis papers, and electronic publications.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Global Health Archive
To provide a deeper historical perspective, CABI produced the Global Health Archive. This searchable database consists of 800,000 records digitized from six printed abstract journals. These records cover scientific research published between 1910 and 1972. To increase accessibility, the archive is indexed across several major platforms, including CAB Direct, Web of Knowledge, EBSCOhost, OvidSP, and Dialog.
When the Global Health database and the Global Health Archive are used together, researchers gain a continuous window of coverage from 1910 to the present day. This longitudinal data is invaluable for studying the history of epidemics, including disease transmission patterns, the duration of pandemics, epidemiological peaks, and the geographic distribution of diseases. Furthermore, it allows for the analysis of government quarantine provisions and preparedness.
This combined data set enables detailed investigations into the severity of diseases in developing versus developed countries, the effects on various social and age groups, specific symptoms, and mortality rates—including secondary complications such as pneumonia.
Journal and Topic Coverage
The breadth of the database is supported by specific subject coverage in areas such as Public Health, Nutrition, Parasitology, Entomology (the study of insects), and Mycology (the study of fungi), with a strong emphasis on tropical and communicable diseases.
The historical records in the archive are derived from several key journals, including:
- Tropical Diseases Bulletin (1912–83)
- Abstracts on Hygiene and Communicable Diseases (1926–83)
- Review of Veterinary and Medical Entomology (1913–72)
- Review of Veterinary and Medical Mycology (1943–72)
- Nutrition Abstracts and Reviews (1931–72)
- Helminthological Abstracts (1932–72)
Tropical Diseases Bulletin
A significant component of this ecosystem is the Tropical Diseases Bulletin, a bibliographic and abstracts database dedicated to infectious diseases and public health in the tropics, subtropics, and developing countries. Its scope ranges from epidemiology and diagnosis to therapy and disease prevention, as well as travel medicine.
The Bulletin is particularly noted for its focus on marginalized populations, including refugees, immigrants, and indigenous peoples. While the electronic back-file coverage spans from 1990 to the present—containing 195,000 abstracts with 11,000 added yearly—the print version of the monthly journal extends its records back to 1912. The searchable electronic version of this journal is integrated into the Global Health Archive.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Total Records: Over 4 million scientific records in the main database (1973–present).
- Historical Reach: Combined coverage extends back to 1910 via the Global Health Archive.
- Global Scope: Sources from 158 countries in 50 languages, with non-English papers translated.
- Annual Growth: Approximately 90,000 new records added to the main database each year.
- Journal Volume: More than 7,000 academic journals are indexed.
- Specialized Focus: Strong emphasis on tropical medicine, communicable diseases, and marginalized populations.
| Resource | Time Period | Primary Focus | Key Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Health Database | 1973–Present | Modern Public Health | 7,000+ journals, reports, books |
| Global Health Archive | 1910–1972 | Historical Research | 800,000 digitized records |
| Tropical Diseases Bulletin | 1912–Present | Infectious Diseases | Tropics, subtropics, and marginalized groups |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Global Health database and the Global Health Archive?
The Global Health database focuses on contemporary research from 1973 to the present, while the Global Health Archive provides digitized historical records from 1910 to 1972.
How does the database handle non-English publications?
The database sources literature from 50 different languages across 158 countries, and any relevant papers not written in English are translated into English for the user.
What specific health topics are covered in these resources?
Coverage includes public health, nutrition, parasitology, entomology, mycology, and specifically tropical and communicable diseases.
Which populations are highlighted in the Tropical Diseases Bulletin?
The Tropical Diseases Bulletin places a specific emphasis on the health of marginalized populations, including indigenous peoples, refugees, and immigrants.
How can the Global Health Archive be accessed?
The archive is searchable through CABI and is also indexed in other databases such as EBSCOhost, OvidSP, Dialog, Web of Knowledge, and CAB Direct.