image: The Journal of Medical Internet Research invites submissions on Digital Inclusion in the Global South: Navigating Access, Agency, and Impact
Credit: JMIR Publications. Source: Igor Kutyaev
(Toronto, May 26, 2026) JMIR Publications invites submissions to a theme issue on “Digital Inclusion in the Global South: Navigating Access, Agency, and Impact” in its open access journal the Journal of Medical Internet Research. The leading peer-reviewed journal for digital medicine and health is indexed in PubMed, PMC, MEDLINE, SCIE, Scopus and DOAJ.
This theme issue invites submissions that examine the evolving evidence on digital transformation across the Global South through a “promise and peril” lens. It will explore how digital inclusion in the Global South shapes access, agency, and impact for health and well-being across development contexts. It brings together research that advances how digital access and use are measured, examines the gendered dimensions of digital inequality, and investigates how digital innovations are transforming health systems, the health workforce, related livelihoods, and social determinants of health. Across these areas, the issue emphasizes both the opportunities and risks of digital transformation, with a focus on generating evidence that can inform more equitable, effective, and context-responsive policies and interventions to improve health outcomes and well-being.
Papers submitted to this theme issue may explore, but are not limited to, the following topics:
Rethinking metrics: innovations in measurement and data use
This focus area examines novel approaches to measuring digital access, inclusion, and impact across diverse contexts in the Global South. It highlights methodological advances, new indices, and digital data innovations that improve understanding of inequalities in digital access and use, along with their broader social and economic impacts. Contributions may include methodological studies introducing new survey instruments, research tools, data sources, or validated questionnaires, as well as the development of indicators, indices, and conceptual frameworks. The focus also welcomes applied research demonstrating practical and innovative measurement approaches in varied settings, highlighting how these methods can generate more accurate, timely, and context-sensitive insights into digital inclusion.
Gendered digital realities: access, agency, and inclusion
This focus area examines how gender shapes digital access, connectivity, competency, and related outcomes—including health and livelihoods—by highlighting structural barriers, social norms, and intersectional inequalities while also exploring opportunities for empowerment through digital interventions, including women-led initiatives and the role of self-help groups in advancing digital inclusion.
Digital innovations across health and livelihoods
This focus area examines how digital tools and platforms are transforming health systems, the health workforce, and livelihood opportunities—particularly for systemically marginalized populations. It includes efforts to improve the adoption, use, and impacts of digital innovations among key groups such as frontline health workers, women’s economic empowerment collectives, and other community-based organizations, with clear implications for health outcomes and well-being.
To learn more please visit the Journal of Medical Internet Research website.
About JMIR Publications
JMIR Publications is a leading open access publisher of digital health research and a champion of open science. With a focus on author advocacy and research amplification, JMIR Publications partners with researchers to advance their careers and maximize the impact of their work. As a technology organization with publishing at its core, we provide innovative tools and resources that go beyond traditional publishing, supporting researchers at every step of the dissemination process. Our portfolio features a range of peer-reviewed journals, including the renowned Journal of Medical Internet Research.
Media Contact:
Dennis O’Brien, Vice President, Communications & Partnerships, JMIR Publications
communications@jmir.org +1 416-583-2040
The content of this communication is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, published by JMIR Publications, is properly cited.