What do you know about neglected diseases?
In the global health world, we often hear discussion of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis – but what about the other diseases that fly under the radar? According to the Global Health Progress initiative, “More than one billion people around the world are afflicted with one or more neglected diseases, and this topic is of critical importance to US foreign aid and global health policy.”
The Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development took on this issue of neglected diseases last Friday at their daylong event, “Neglected Diseases in the Developing World: Progress, Current Challenges and Promising Approaches.” Held in the Dirksen Senate Building, the event featured a distinguished group of speakers, including representatives from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institute of Health (NIH), Duke University, BIO Ventures for Global Health and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Christopher Milner, Associated Director of the Tufts Center for Drug Development, started the morning by introducing Mary Moran, Director of the Health Policy Division of the George Institute. Ms. Moran spoke about the issue of obtaining global funding for research and development to treat neglected diseases. She explained that many countries and organizations are participating in the development of new neglected disease products, which is a welcome and relatively new phenomenon. However, there is a dire need, particularly during the economic crisis, for the broadening of funding efforts so that all diseases receive the attention they deserve.
Joshua Cohen of the Tufts University Center for the Study of Drug Development also took the floor to discuss progress in neglected disease drug development. Mr. Cohen emphasized that financial support for neglected disease research is very lopsided, with the majority of funding flowing into HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. He also stressed that a comprehensive approach to addressing neglected diseases should include not only effective drug development, but also attention to health infrastructure, affordability, and improved accessibility.
The morning ended with a panel discussion in which public and private sector experts discussed how to prioritize and facilitate the discovery and development of new medical products for neglected diseases. The panelists also highlighted public health impacts and current efforts to address this global threat.
The event provided a unique opportunity to hear leaders from a variety of fields share their views on both the progress and challenges surrounding the development and distribution of products for combating neglected diseases in the developing world.
-Robyn Mitchell, Hallie Tosher, & Jen Fraser
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October 20, 2009 at 12:19 pm
The American Public Health Association (APHA) annual conference is being held in Philly the first week of Nov. I know it is short notice if you haven’t already heard about it. This topic will be discussed in a series of 3 day “science” sessions. Also maternal and child health… a gamet of other topics that make up Public Health. Anyone can attend and the latest research in each field is presented.
It is a huge benefit and very educational.
Also, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA (I am a grad student,) has a school of tropical medicine and disease. You should check out some of the programs and research projects that they have as that is the concentration for the entire school.
Just an FYI,
Jennifer Powell,
Wilmington, NC, USA
October 21, 2009 at 11:06 am
There are a huge amount of neglected diseases, but as HCV, Hepatitis C is 4 times more common in the world than HIV, and 1 in 12 people will get it, it seems essential that there is regular screening for this and generally more awareness.
October 27, 2009 at 10:43 am
Thanks for this post and for introducing NTDs into the ONE portfolio! At the Global Network we’re focused on advocacy, policy and resource mobilization for the 7 most common NTDs that impact over 1.4 billion of the world’s poorest people. We invite you to join the discussion around NTD control efforts, as well as R&D, at http://www.endtheneglect.org.