The Lancet, in its excellent Series,1 acknowledged the importance of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). These Series stress, among many important points, the need for global cooperation and partnership towards addressing NCDs. However, it is surprising to observe the over-representation of researchers based in high-income countries and the limited participation of LMIC-based researchers in all four Lancet Series (appendix); an observation that warrants open criticism and immediate pragmatic action.