Gates Foundation commits $2.5 billion to 'ignored, underfunded' women's health
The investment is among its first big commitments since Gates announced earlier this year that he would give away his $200 billion fortune by 2045. It is around one-third more than the Foundation spent on women 's and maternal health over the last five years.
"Women's health continues to be ignored, underfunded and sidelined. Too many women still die from preventable causes or live in poor health," Gates said in a statement. "That must change."
The work will look at deeply under-researched areas that affect hundreds of millions of women in both high and low-income countries, from preeclampsia and gestational diabetes to heavy menstrual bleeding, endometriosis and menopause.
Investment will focus on five key areas: obstetric care and maternal immunisation; maternal health and nutrition; gynaecological and menstrual health; contraceptive innovation; and sexually transmitted infection.
The aim is to kick-start research, develop products, and ensure equitable access to them worldwide.
The Foundation's head of gender equality, Dr Anita Zaidi, said that the field had been held back in part because of bias and a lack of data on key issues, such as how drugs cross into the uterus.
"If you look at the literature, there may be only 10 women who've been studied, ever," she told Reuters. "We don't even have the answers to these basic questions."
Just one percent of the healthcare research and innovation spend went to female-specific conditions beyond cancer, a 2021 analysis by McKinsey & Co found.
Zaidi acknowledged that the $2.5 billion was a "drop in the bucket" compared with what was needed and called on others to step in, including the private sector, philanthropists and governments.
Gates' ex-wife, philanthropist Melinda French Gates, has also invested in women's health since leaving the Foundation last year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sustainability Times
4 hours ago
- Sustainability Times
"$1.5 Trillion Plastics Disaster Is 'Wrecking Global Health Every Single Year'": Shocking Report Reveals Hidden Costs
IN A NUTSHELL 🌍 The surge in plastic production has led to a global health crisis, costing $1.5 trillion annually in health damages. has led to a global health crisis, costing $1.5 trillion annually in health damages. 🚮 Less than 10 percent of all plastic has been recycled , contributing to massive pollution from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench. , contributing to massive pollution from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench. 🧪 Plastics contain over 16,000 chemicals , many linked to serious health risks, affecting vulnerable populations like infants and children. , many linked to serious health risks, affecting vulnerable populations like infants and children. 🌎 International efforts are underway to establish a global plastics treaty, facing opposition from oil-rich nations and industry lobbyists. In recent years, the surge in plastic production has highlighted the growing environmental and health crises facing our planet. Experts now argue that plastic pollution is a full-scale public health emergency. A new report underscores the profound impact of plastic on both human and planetary health, revealing alarming costs and consequences that demand urgent action. The report warns of a 'grave' plastics crisis, with detrimental effects on individuals at every stage of life, from infants to adults. As plastic production continues to soar, reaching unprecedented levels, the world must confront the challenges posed by this pervasive material. The Alarming Growth of Plastic Production Plastic production has increased more than 200 times since 1950, driven by demand for convenience and disposability. This growth trajectory has been staggering, with expectations that production will nearly triple by 2060, surpassing one billion tons annually. While plastics play a vital role in several industries, the most significant increase stems from single-use items like fast-food containers and beverage bottles. These products contribute to the staggering volume of plastic waste that pollutes our environment. Plastic pollution now spans the globe, from the highest peaks to the deepest ocean trenches. It is estimated that more than 8.8 billion US tons of plastic waste have accumulated worldwide. Shockingly, less than 10 percent of all plastic ever produced has been recycled. This staggering statistic highlights the urgent need for comprehensive global solutions to curb plastic production and waste. 'Scientists Issue Red Alert': Disturbing Discovery in Remote Indian Ocean Reveals Hidden Crisis Spanning the Entire Marine Ecosystem Health Impacts of Plastic Pollution The health implications of plastic pollution are profound and far-reaching. Plastics are composed of more than 16,000 chemicals, including fillers, stabilizers, dyes, and flame retardants, many of which pose serious health risks. The report reveals that exposure to these chemicals is linked to a range of adverse health effects, including increased risks of miscarriage, premature birth, childhood cancer, and fertility issues. The presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in human bodies, detected in places like blood and bone marrow, raises further concern. Moreover, the production of plastics contributes significantly to air pollution and CO₂ emissions. It is estimated that plastic production releases 2.2 billion US tons of CO₂ annually, surpassing the total emissions of some major countries. This not only exacerbates climate change but also affects air quality, with open-air burning of plastic waste compounding the problem. This Toxic Nightmare Is Real: 27 Million Tons of Nanoplastics in North Atlantic Ignites War Between Green Activists and Industry Giants Recycling: An Inadequate Solution While recycling has long been promoted as a solution to plastic pollution, the report emphasizes its limitations. Unlike materials such as glass or paper, plastics are chemically complex, making effective recycling challenging. The current recycling systems are insufficient to handle the vast quantities of plastic waste generated. Consequently, more than half of plastic waste remains unmanaged and is often incinerated, further harming the environment. Petrostates and industry groups advocate for recycling-focused efforts, but the report argues that a more comprehensive approach is needed. Policymakers must consider the entire lifecycle of plastics, from production to disposal. This includes reducing reliance on fossil fuels, improving waste management systems, and enhancing transparency about the chemicals used in plastic products. 'They Didn't Even Open My Chest': Revolutionary Robotic Neck Surgery Replaces Heart Valve and Shocks Medical World International Efforts and Future Challenges The urgency of the plastics crisis has prompted international discussions on establishing a global plastics treaty. More than 100 countries support measures to cap plastic production and protect human and environmental health. However, these efforts face opposition from oil-rich nations and industry lobbyists. The upcoming negotiations will be crucial in determining the future course of action. Experts emphasize the importance of including comprehensive measures in the treaty to address the crisis effectively. Vulnerable populations, such as infants and children, are disproportionately affected by plastic pollution, underscoring the need for equitable and inclusive solutions. As the world grapples with the complex challenges of plastic pollution, the call for decisive action is more critical than ever. The report on plastic pollution paints a stark picture of a crisis that demands immediate attention. As plastic production continues to rise, the associated health and environmental costs are becoming increasingly untenable. Can global leaders come together to implement effective solutions that safeguard both human health and the environment for future generations? The world watches and waits for decisive action. This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.6/5 (26)
France 24
17 hours ago
- France 24
Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk posts strong results but competition weighs
The group reported a net profit of 26.5 billion kroner ($4.1 billion), a 32 percent increase from the same period last year, while sales increased by 18 percent to 76 billion kroner. The drug maker lowered its annual earnings outlook last week, causing its share price to continue its nearly year-long slide. The company had already cut its forecast in May and announced the departure of its chief executive Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen. "In May we mostly thought the bottom was reached," Mikael Bak, director of the Danish shareholders' association, told AFP. Bak said "every is a bit surprised" that the situation has deteriorated. "So now we don't want to see more disappointments, there are reasons to believe the business is healthy, the institution and the products good," he said. Novo Nordisk announced last week that it was promoting Maziar Mike Doustdar, its vice president for international operations, to succeed Jorgensen. The popularity of Novo Nordisk's weight-loss treatments had once made it a darling of investors, boosting its share price and at one point making it Europe's most valuable company. But it now faces growing competition from rival treatments made by US group Eli Lilly in United States. A rule by the US Food and Drug Administration allowing pharmacies to create so-called "compound" copycat versions of the drug, after high demand led to shortages, has also dented Novo Nordisk's earnings.
France 24
19 hours ago
- France 24
RFK Jr. to cancel $500 million in funding for vaccine development
The Department of Health and Human Services will cancel contracts and pull funding for some vaccines that are being developed to fight respiratory viruses like Covid-19 and the flu. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced in a statement Tuesday that 22 projects, totaling $500 million, to develop vaccines using mRNA technology will be halted. Kennedy's decision to terminate the projects is the latest in a string of decisions that have put the longtime vaccine critic's doubts about shots into full effect at the nation's health department. Kennedy has pulled back recommendations around the Covid-19 shots, fired the panel that makes vaccine recommendations, and refused to offer a vigorous endorsement of vaccinations as a measles outbreak worsened. The health secretary criticised mRNA vaccines in a video on his social media accounts, explaining the decision to cancel projects being led by the nation's leading pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and Moderna, that offer protection against viruses like the flu, Covid-19 and H5N1. 'To replace the troubled mRNA programs, we're prioritizing the development of safer, broader vaccine strategies, like whole-virus vaccines and novel platforms that don't collapse when viruses mutate," Kennedy said in the video. Infectious disease experts say the mRNA technology used in vaccines is safe, and they credit its development during the first Trump administration with slowing the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. Future pandemics, they warned, will be harder to stop without the help of mRNA. 'I don't think I've seen a more dangerous decision in public health in my 50 years in the business,' said Mike Osterholm, a University of Minnesota expert on infectious diseases and pandemic preparations. He noted mRNA technology offers potential advantages of rapid production, crucial in the event of a new pandemic that requires a new vaccine. The shelving of the mRNA projects is short-sighted as concerns about a bird flu pandemic continue to loom, said Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. 'It's certainly saved millions of lives,' Offit said of the existing mRNA vaccines. Scientists are using mRNA for more than infectious disease vaccines, with researchers around the world exploring its use for cancer immunotherapies. At the White House earlier this year, billionaire tech entrepreneur Larry Ellison praised mRNA for its potential to treat cancer. Traditionally, vaccines have required growing pieces of viruses, often in chicken eggs or giant vats of cells, then purifying that material. The mRNA approach starts with a snippet of genetic code that carries instructions for making proteins. Scientists pick the protein to target, inject that blueprint and the body makes just enough to trigger immune protection – producing its own vaccine dose. In a statement Tuesday, HHS said 'other uses of mRNA technology within the department are not impacted by this announcement". The mRNA technology is used in approved Covid-19 and RSV shots, but has not yet been approved for a flu shot. Moderna, which was studying a combination Covid-19 and flu mRNA shot, had said it believed mRNA could speed up production of flu shots compared with traditional vaccines. The abandoned mRNA projects signal a 'shift in vaccine development priorities", the health department said in its statement, adding that it will start 'investing in better solutions". 'Let me be absolutely clear, HHS supports safe, effective vaccines for every American who wants them," Kennedy said in the statement. Speaking hours later Tuesday at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska, alongside the state's two Republican US senators, Kennedy said work is under way on an alternative. He said a 'universal vaccine' that mimics 'natural immunity" is the administration's focus. 'It could be effective – we believe it's going to be effective – against not only coronaviruses, but also flu,' he said.
