%0 Journal Article
%T Technology innovation for infectious diseases in the developing world
%A Anthony D So
%A Quentin Ruiz-Esparza
%J Infectious Diseases of Poverty
%D 2012
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/2049-9957-1-2
%X Please see Additional file 1 for translations of the abstract into the six official working languages of the United Nations.Infectious diseases remain a significant contributor to the burden of disease in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Leading communicable diseases from AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria to diarrheal diseases, measles, and lower respiratory infections claim upwards of eleven million lives in these countries each year [1]. The burden falls disproportionately not only on some countries, but also on vulnerable parts of the population. Notably, 95 percent of deaths from respiratory infections and 98 percent of deaths from diarrheal diseases occur in LMICs [2]; and diarrhea, pneumonia, measles, and malaria take many lives of children under five. Similarly, infectious diseases like schistosomiasis, hookworm and malaria contribute to anemia, worsening outcomes both of mother and child in pregnancy, while syphilis also adversely affects neonatal mortality. As for diseases that make up substantial portions of global disease burden--HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria¡ªover 95 percent of the deaths caused by each of these diseases are also in LMICs. The toll of infectious diseases comes in mortality and morbidity, lost work productivity and economic losses, and the drag effect on those trapped or tipped into poverty by illness.The attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is closely entwined with progress in reducing the burden of infectious diseases. MDG 6 focuses on combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases while steps towards meeting MDG 4 (reducing child mortality), MDG 5 (improving maternal health) and MDG 7C (improving basic sanitation and sustainable access to safe drinking water) also relate to the treatment of infectious diseases [3]. MDG 8E (providing access to affordable essential drugs in developing countries in cooperation with pharmaceutical companies) and MDG 8F (making available benefits of new technologies, especially in
%K Innovation
%K Technology
%K Access
%K Policy
%K Public health
%K R&D collaboration
%K R&D
%K Business model
%K Open source
%K Open innovation
%U http://www.idpjournal.com/content/1/1/2