5 years of the Lancet Regional Health – Europe: science, equity, and why Europe must lead

The Lancet Regional Health – Europe was launched in February, 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, during a period of profound disruption to health systems, research, and public trust in science. The journal was founded with a clear purpose: to publish rigorous, regionally grounded evidence that informs health policy and practice in Europe and shapes global scientific and policy discourse. 5 years on, that mission feels more urgent than ever, in a global environment where science is increasingly under pressure.