The Year in Global Health: New and Innovative Ways to Combat the Deadliest Diseases
As the end of the year approaches, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is taking stock of the progress that’s been made in global health and development, creating a webpage — with an embedded video — detailing the highlights of 2018. Here’s a look at some of the biggest accomplishments in global health, as well as the places where we need to accelerate our efforts. And be sure to check out the work of the foundation’s other three areas of focus: global development, global policy and advocacy, and global growth and opportunity.
Vaccines to fight typhoid, rotavirus and cholera: The pipeline for new, high-impact vaccines has never been stronger. In January, the WHO announced its approval of the first typhoid vaccine designed to protect babies. This vaccine is longer-lasting and more effective than existing typhoid vaccines, and it will be produced by an Indian manufacturer for less than $2 per dose. WHO also endorsed an Indian-made rotavirus vaccine that will substantially reduce costs while helping to address global supply demands. And in February, Shanchol — an oral cholera vaccine — received approval from the WHO for use at temperatures as high as 40°C for up to 14 days. This will have a major impact on global efforts to stop cholera outbreaks in distressed settings, such as refugee settlements for displaced populations.
A single-dose cure for vivax malaria: Malaria is a disease that is treatable and beatable, and the EMA’s approval of a new single-dose cure for vivax malaria will help countries around the world accelerate the elimination of a disease that still claims 400,000 lives each year while helping to prevent the emergence of drug-resistant parasites.
Breakthrough treatments for sleeping sickness and lymphatic filariasis (LF): The EMA’s approval of fexinidazole for sleeping sickness and a new triple-drug therapy for LF will pave the way for the elimination of two neglected tropical diseases as public health problems. Fexinidazole is a safe and effective oral therapy that replaces a highly toxic intravenous drug that required hospital admission. And triple therapy for LF will introduce a shorter, cost-effective treatment that can break transmission of the disease in affected communities.
A new tool to save newborn lives: We had exciting confirmation in 2018 that the administration of a single dose of azithromycin can dramatically increase child survival rates in the world’s poorest communities. This generic antibiotic is extremely inexpensive and remains stable at high temperatures, which means that it is affordable and can be effectively delivered nearly anywhere.
