Podcasts as a tool to disrupt knowledge hierarchies and silos to decolonize global health

The correspondence addresses how entrenched knowledge silos and hierarchies in global health—shaped by historical legacies of colonialism and current institutional incentive structures—perpetuate inequities by privileging elite gatekeepers and technical, exclusionary communication channels. It poses the proposition that podcasts, as accessible, participatory media, can disrupt these hierarchies and silos to support decolonizing global health communication and advance health equity.

The authors note rapid growth in podcast adoption, citing that by February 2024 there were over 500 million daily global listeners. Prior work highlights podcasts’ roles in crisis communication during COVID-19, career development guidance, educational tools for students, and public health promotion, with examples such as Public Health on Call, Public Health Insight, Pandemic Planet, and Global Health Matters. References include discussions of podcast origins and ethos (authenticity, intimacy, autonomy, participatory audience), and applications across epidemiology, distance education, and public health communications.

- Podcasts can facilitate cross-hierarchical, cross-country, and interdisciplinary dialogue, creating space for nuance and complexity in global health debates. - They reduce reliance on traditional gatekeepers by bypassing academic peer-approval processes, lowering barriers for content creation and access compared with gated literature and conferences. - On-demand, cost-effective access enables democratized knowledge sharing; reputable institutions using podcasts can extend reach to audiences less engaged with academic publications. - Podcasts’ human-centered storytelling elevates lived experiences and marginalized perspectives, countering entrenched assumptions and making complex issues relatable. - Scale and adoption are substantial: as of February 2024, podcasts reached more than 500 million daily global listeners. - Effective podcasts often embody humility and foster respectful, open dialogue, supporting knowledge translation for both the public and policy-makers.

By enabling open, accessible, and dialogic communication that incorporates diverse lived experiences, podcasts directly challenge knowledge silos and hierarchies that limit inclusive global health discourse. This medium can bridge gaps between research and practice, broaden participation beyond elite institutions, and support decolonizing aims by redistributing voice and power in knowledge production. The approach aligns with goals of health equity by facilitating inclusive debates and translating complex evidence into understandable narratives for varied stakeholders, including policy-makers and the public.

The authors argue that embracing podcasts and similar inclusive communication formats can reshape global health communication systems toward more equitable power distribution and democratized information flow. This shift can help decolonize knowledge production and advance a more inclusive, effective global health agenda. Future efforts should institutionalize support for diverse podcast creators, foster cross-continental collaborations, and integrate podcast outputs into policy dialogues and education to maximize impact.

Podcast production can be costly; high internet data costs can disadvantage listeners in some regions. Language barriers may constrain reach to primarily English-speaking audiences. Without intentional curation, podcasts may amplify already-privileged experts and reproduce existing hierarchies. Achieving balanced representation across academia, practice, activism, and regions requires considerable time and collaboration. As with all media, audiences must discern credible sources to mitigate misinformation risks.