Gnosis is a diamond open access journal publishing evidence synthesis for global health equity. We publish complete meta-analyses, methodological innovations, and evidence updates in exactly 400 words - where the abstract is the paper - with specific focus on evidence relevant to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Mission

Most systematic reviews and meta-analyses are conducted in high-income settings, analyzing trials from wealthy populations, with little consideration of transportability to resource-limited contexts. Gnosis addresses this evidence gap by prioritizing:

• Meta-analyses of interventions feasible in resource-limited settings
• Evidence from LMIC populations and healthcare systems
• Transportability analysis: how findings from high-income trials apply to developing country contexts
• Cost-effectiveness relevant to constrained health budgets
• Implementation considerations for low-resource settings

Our 400-word format serves clinicians and policymakers in developing countries who need rapid, accessible evidence without bandwidth limitations, subscription barriers, or time to read 8,000-word papers.

The Name

Gnosis (γνῶσις) - from Greek, meaning "knowledge" or "deep understanding" - represents evidence-informed wisdom accessible to all. In Islamic tradition, Irfan (عرفان) carries the same meaning: knowledge that illuminates and guides action. We chose this name to reflect our commitment to democratizing evidence synthesis for the global community.

Focus and Scope

Priority topics:

• Infectious diseases (tuberculosis, malaria, HIV, neglected tropical diseases)
• Maternal and child health interventions
• Non-communicable disease prevention in resource-limited settings
• Essential medicines and generic formulations
• Task-shifting and community health worker interventions
• Low-cost diagnostic strategies
• Implementation science in LMICs
• Traditional medicine integration where evidence-supported

We publish three article types:

• Meta-analyses (400 words): Complete evidence synthesis with explicit consideration of applicability to LMIC settings, including cost, infrastructure requirements, and local evidence when available
• Methods papers (400 words): Innovations in transportability assessment, evidence synthesis for resource-limited settings, or methods addressing LMIC-specific challenges
• Evidence updates (400 words): Rapid incorporation of new LMIC trial data into existing meta-analyses

Why This Matters

The global evidence gap:

• 90% of health research funding goes to diseases affecting 10% of the global population
• Most RCTs exclude populations typical of developing countries (co-morbidities, malnutrition, co-infections)
• Systematic reviews rarely assess whether findings transport from trial populations to real-world LMIC contexts
• Paywalls prevent clinicians in developing countries from accessing evidence
• Bandwidth limitations make downloading 50-page PDFs impractical in many regions

Gnosis's approach:

• Diamond open access - no fees for authors or readers
• Minimal bandwidth - 400 words loads instantly on slow connections
• Practical focus - every paper must address feasibility in resource-limited settings
• Rapid dissemination - 48-72 hour peer review enables timely evidence for outbreaks, policy decisions, and guideline development
• Global South representation - editorial board majority from LMIC institutions

Open Access Policy

Complete diamond open access:

• No article processing charges (APCs)
• No subscription fees
• Immediate publication under CC-BY 4.0 license
• Authors retain copyright
• Pre-print posting encouraged
• Mirror sites in multiple regions for improved access

This model ensures researchers in low-income countries can both publish and access evidence without financial barriers.

Reporting Standards

All meta-analyses must include:

• Explicit discussion of applicability to LMIC settings
• Assessment of intervention feasibility (cost, infrastructure, expertise required)
• LMIC-specific subgroup analyses when data permits
• Cost reporting in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms when applicable
• Adapted PRISMA 2020 standards

We encourage reporting:

• Training requirements for implementation
• Essential equipment or infrastructure needs
• Transportability metrics and external validity assessment
• Local context considerations