Free One-Click Access To The Cochrane Library For Low-Income Countries

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Also Included In: Nursing / Midwifery;  Public Health
Article Date: 02 Jan 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Wiley-Blackwell, the scientific, technical, medical and scholarly publishing business of John Wiley & Sons, Inc (NYSE: JWa), (NYSE: JWb), and The Cochrane Collaboration, the not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving healthcare decision-making globally, has announced that they have made The Cochrane Library available with free one-click access to all residents of countries in the World Bank's list of low-income economies (countries with a gross national income (GNI) per capita of less that $1000).

"Half the world's population can now access The Cochrane Library with one click into the homepage. Free access to low-income countries is available directly via www.thecochranelibrary.com and HINARI as well as through INASP beginning in January 2008," said Nick Royle, CEO, The Cochrane Collaboration. "We believe giving easy access to Cochrane Reviews to these countries is an invaluable service and demonstrates our commitment to the dissemination of information to low- and middle-income economies. This is a priority for both The Cochrane Collaboration and Wiley-Blackwell, and we are delighted to be doing this together."

"The Cochrane Library provides essential information for healthcare decision makers all over the world, and we want to make it accessible to those in low-income countries where this information will be most valuable," said Deborah Pentesco-Gilbert, Associate Editorial Director, The Cochrane Library. "You don't even have to sign up, it's quick, instant access to vital information. Improving online access to medical information for low-income countries is part of our strategy to increase access to information and Wiley-Blackwell participates in several programs that promote scientific research and development, but this is the first time that access is provided directly from our own platform."

Access to The Cochrane Library for low-income countries will be via Wiley-Blackwell IP recognition, a system which recognises the country a user is in. Several other counties and regions already have access to this service, which is paid for by government agencies or external organisations; this includes residents of Australia, India, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, among others.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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Source: Jennifer Beal
Wiley-Blackwell