Scientists at the University of Southampton are set to analyse research investments into infectious disease research, particularly pneumonia and maternal and neonatal infections, after receiving over £370,000 in funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
CDC/Dr H Craig Lyeria
By studying how research funding is allocated relative to the global burden of disease, and assessing the outputs and impact of research, the resulting data will be used to inform future investment decisions.
Pneumonia and maternal and neonatal infectious diseases, such as influenza, tetanus and respiratory syncytial virus (pictured), have been cited as priority areas by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Gates Foundation. The 2013 Global Burden of Disease study estimated there to be 800,000 pneumonia deaths annually worldwide and the disease continues to be the main infectious killer of children under the age of five, with more deaths than HIV, TB and malaria combined. This is despite the existence of lifesaving treatments and prevention measures, such as effective vaccines.
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