Xofluza is better at reducing the rate of secondary flu attacks than Tamiflu

Three of the world’s wealthiest charities yesterday announced a three-year, $300 million joint initiative to address health challenges posed by climate change, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and inadequate nutrition.

As part of the partnership, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome and the Novo Nordisk Foundation will each commit $100 million to develop solutions to address the health impacts of climate change, infectious diseases and AMR, as well as a better understanding of the interplay between nutrition, immunity , infectious and noncommunicable diseases, and developmental outcomes.

Efforts to combat infectious diseases and AMR include advancing disease surveillance and developing vaccines against respiratory infections with the aim of reducing the burden of disease in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and preventing outbreaks from developing into global health crises . The initiative will also support efforts to build more resilient and sustainable food systems, protect the health of vulnerable populations in the face of climate change, and address the impact of overnutrition and undernutrition on health and development.

“In today’s complex world, health challenges are increasingly overlapping,” Wellcome CEO John-Arne Rottingen said in a statement Press release. “We need global collaboration and cooperation more than ever to build a healthier future and for society to thrive.”

Supporting research in LMICs

The funding includes direct support to researchers and institutions based in LMICs, the countries most affected by these issues. The organizations say the funding is needed at a time when debt crises are forcing governments to cut funding for critical health programs.

“By combining the vast experience and unique expertise of each organization – in research, technology, innovation and business – we can achieve progress that would not otherwise be possible,” said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman said he hopes the collaboration will encourage other philanthropic organizations and partners to contribute to efforts to address these challenges.

“We are on the cusp of so many scientific breakthroughs in agriculture, health and nutrition, and with the right support, these innovations will save and improve lives around the world,” he said.