STAT: ‘Neglected diseases’ are anything but neglected by the billion-plus people living with them
Jerome Kim, director general of the International Vaccine Institute

“…What should be done to remedy [the] systematic failure [of addressing neglected tropical diseases], including the failure to promptly develop vaccines, the most cost-effective approach to infectious diseases and an essential part of the comprehensive solution to these diseases? … There isn’t consensus on how to prioritize work against [poverty-associated infectious diseases (PAID)]. … If these diseases affected developed countries, incentives would exist for companies to develop new diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines. There would be funding to understand the critical elements of disease transmission and to implement effective prevention and control programs. … Neglected diseases should not be victims. They must find a voice to attract leadership, advocacy, and funding … One useful strategy would be to prioritize and incentivize the development of vaccines for diseases that are a bigger problem in developing countries but that could also be useful in high-income countries. Health policy experts, politicians, CEOs, philanthropists, and others must step up and be the voice of the neglected. We know the problem and we have the solution in our hearts, our minds, and our wallets” (1/4).