Marilia Mesenburg et al received a special mention in Lancet Global Health for the study on inequalities in ethnic groups in Latin America and Caribbean countries. Mendoza et al wrote a comment on the importance of this study to draw attention to the statistical invisibility of some marginalized population (e.g., afro-descendant in Peru), which should be considered a violation of their human rights. Therefore, Mendoza et al suggest that this type of evidence should motive changes in national statistical systems in order to consider excluded population when collecting data. Besides, Mendoza et al underline the value of this study as a reference to monitor access to reproductive rights by ethnicity and how these ethnicity-driven inequalities are addressed over time.

Linked articles:

Mendoza W, Hidalgo N, Benavides M. Inequalities across ethnic groups. Lancet Glob Health 2019; 7:e34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30410-8

Mesenburg MA, Restrepo-Mendez MC, Amigo H, et al. Ethnic group inequalities in coverage with reproductive, maternal and child health interventions: cross-national analysis of national surveys in 16 Latin American and Caribbean countries. Lancet Glob Health 2018; 6: e902–13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30300-0