Sub-Saharan Africa is set to gain the most from Research and Development (R&D) investments in neglected diseases, with 75% of lives saved and 81% of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) averted in the region. A Policy Cures Research report reveals that R&D investments from 2000-2040 are projected to save 40.7 million lives globally, bringing significant health and economic benefits, particularly to Africa.
The study, conducted between 1999 and 2023, highlights that neglected diseases are seeing a significant reduction in burden, with 2.83 billion DALYs averted thanks to these investments. Additionally, global health R&D has produced an exceptional return, with $405 in societal and economic benefits for every dollar invested.
Researchers Sabastine Wakdok, Paul Barnsley, and Harriet Bell emphasize the substantial economic impact from improved health outcomes, reporting $269.8 billion in global benefits. This growth is driven largely by reduced illness-related costs and enhanced productivity, particularly in Africa.
Experts now urge African governments to foster partnerships and explore innovative and sustainable funding models to ensure long-term R&D support for health innovation across the continent.
The research serves as a vital resource for governments, funders, and civil society, offering the data necessary to inform R&D policy and funding decisions aimed at improving health outcomes for underserved populations.
