CNBC: From the fewest polio cases to the greatest contraceptive use — 2017 saw a range of health milestones
Sue Desmond-Hellmann, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

“…[O]ne important factor [behind the global health achievements of 2017] that often goes unnoticed is the collaboration between the public, private, and philanthropic sectors — an indispensable nexus in saving and improving lives. … In the coming years, I see unparalleled opportunity to unleash the full potential of human capacity to solve our greatest challenges. But success depends on us harnessing the power of partnerships. We’ll need the scholarship and new ideas of academia as well as the talent and sense of urgency found in the private sector to drive scientific and technological breakthroughs. We’ll need increased investment and thoughtful policy from governments, while ensuring that communities are able to drive change from within. And we’ll need all colleagues in our own not-for-profit sector to take risks when others can’t or won’t. Research and development has the potential to consign humankind’s biggest threats to the history books. When that happens, it will be front page news” (12/14).