The Networks of Global Health Partnerships

Abstract Why do some health issues produce many or large-scale PPPs, while others do not? Chapter 3 establishes this empirical puzzle by illustrating heterogeneous networks of global health partnerships. Applying techniques of network visualization to an original dataset of global health partnerships, the chapter shows that half of the issue areas in the dataset have generated large networks of PPPs, with many participants joining multiple partnerships. These health issues include HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases, vaccine preventable diseases, and women’s health. In contrast, the remaining half (nutrition, non-communicable diseases, universal health coverage, water and sanitation, biosafety, and road safety) has produced a moderate or limited partnership activity, creating a rather small and sparse network of PPPs. Subsequently, the chapter demonstrates that none of the existing theories can adequately explain the empirically observed patterns, highlighting the need for a refined understanding of what facilitates or hinders the creation of PPPs. The chapter then explains the case selection, setting a stage for empirical case studies for the following chapters.