Blue Books: Global Guidelines, Local Blind Spots

A more equitable World Health Organization is crucial for global diagnostics

By Vikram Deshpande 07/29/2025 Opinion 5 min read

Vikram Deshpande emphasizes healthcare disparities between high-income and low-to-middle-income countries (HICs and LMICs).
The WHO tumor classification system inadequately serves LMICs.
Deshpande advocates for a 50/50 Editorial Policy for WHO.
Access to advanced diagnostics in LMICs is limited.
Inclusion of LMIC perspectives can enhance global health outcomes.

About the Author(s)

Professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School and Pathologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, US