Neglected Global Diseases
Neglected Global Diseases (NGDs) are infectious diseases and other conditions that cause physical and cognitive impairments, contribute to mother and child illness and death, and make it difficult to earn a living, thereby disproportionately affecting the world’s poorest populations. They include maternal, infant and child health conditions, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) as well as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The World Health Organization (WHO) has a list of 18 NTDs that, combined, causes substantial illness for more than one billion people globally (see image on the right). These diseases thrive in conditions of extreme poverty; areas that generally have unsafe water, poor sanitation, substandard housing, and limited access to health care or essential medicines. In some countries this includes most rural areas, urban slums, or conflict zones, however, it is increasingly recognized that emerging middle-income countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) contain the highest numbers of people affected.
NGDs impact daily life for billions of people globally. In countries with weak health and social support systems, they cripple families and contribute to the harsh cycle of poverty. While some NTDs are fatal without treatment, most of them are debilitating and stigmatizing. Children are particularly vulnerable. Overall, NGDs cause great suffering and are a leading cause of chronic disability, diminished quality of life, and premature death. Despite their impact, funding for NTDs research and treatment pales in comparison to “first-world impacted or supported diseases.” The social and moral question that must be asked is, “why are these diseases, that effect billions of people, neglected?”
What is UBC doing to help?
At the University of British Columbia (UBC), there are a number of experts and groups leading studies that address neglected global diseases. The delivery of interventions for global health is a complex and interconnected activity. In order for new medications to reach those in need integrated research encompassing bench science, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and health research, business, social policy, economics and law and others is needed. Social determinants of health and implementation science are becoming increasingly recognized as providing critical information to the complex relationships affecting delivery.At the University of British Columbia (UBC), there are a number of experts and groups leading studies that address neglected global diseases. The delivery of interventions for global health is a complex and interconnected activity. In order for new medications to reach those in need integrated research encompassing bench science, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and health research, business, social policy, economics and law and others is needed. Social determinants of health and implementation science are becoming increasingly recognized as providing critical information to the complex relationships affecting delivery.
UBC has developed an intellectual property initiative that harnesses the economic potential of university innovations (such as medical discoveries) to ensure their development, while at the same time enhancing their social benefit by ensuring reasonable, fair, and affordable access for developing countries. The Global Access Initiative is the first of its kind in Canadian Universities and was initially brought forth by a group of committed students from the UBC chapter of Universities Allied for Essential Medicines.