A $300 million partnership has been formed by three major global health funders – the Novo Nordisk Foundation, Wellcome, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The goal of this initiative is to break down barriers between different areas of research that are often isolated and address the interconnected impacts of climate change, malnutrition, infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance, particularly focusing on developing affordable solutions for people in low and middle-income countries. Each funder will contribute $100 million to the three-year research partnership.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how obesity can increase the severity of certain infectious diseases while climate change-related extreme weather events can lead to food insecurity, making undernourished children more susceptible to diseases like measles and cholera. Advances in nutritional science and understanding the gut microbiome are seen as key to comprehending the impact of over- and under-nutrition on overall health and development.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation has a controlling interest in Novo Nordisk, a pharmaceutical company, which has seen success with its weight-loss drug Wegovy. The partners emphasize the importance of this initiative in light of waning global focus on health post-pandemic. The funding will also provide support for researchers in low- and middle-income countries, with an openness to engaging with private, philanthropic, and public partners.
Catherine Kyobutungi, executive director of the African Population and Health Research Center, a prominent research institution highlights the role of community involvement in finding solutions to pressing health issues. The partners stress the significance of addressing market failures and ensuring equitable access to medical advances globally.
In summary, this $300 million partnership aims to bring together three major global health funders to address interconnected impacts such as climate change, malnutrition, infectious diseases