FIGHTING FORGOTTEN DISEASES

Putting Silent Killers on the Global Agenda

One of the reasons diseases that barely exist in developed countries kill, disfigure, or debilitate so many people in developing countries is that these diseases have not received the attention they deserve. Diseases like trypanosomiasis (African sleeping sickness), visceral leishmaniasis, lymphatic filariasis, and hookworm are rarely discussed in the U.S. and Europe, but they affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide. They place a tremendous burden on societies already struggling with hunger, illness, and extreme poverty.

In 2006, foundation grantees helped make important progress against “forgotten” diseases. For example, the Carter Center in Atlanta, winner of the 2006 Gates Award for Global Health, has worked with developing countries around the world to reduce the number of Guinea worm cases by more than 99 percent in just 20 years. In addition, the Institute for One World Health licensed a new and inexpensive cure for visceral leishmaniasis, a devastating disease that affects more than 200 million people in poor countries. This new cure is currently being introduced in India.

To build on this progress, the foundation announced grants totaling $115 million to address neglected diseases. Some of the grants support drug and vaccine development; some will help countries integrate their campaigns against multiple neglected diseases; and one grant has established a new medical journal devoted to neglected diseases.