Three of the largest global health funders have come together in a $300 million partnership to address the interconnected impacts of climate change, malnutrition, infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. The Novo Nordisk Foundation, Wellcome, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced this research partnership, with a focus on finding affordable solutions for people in low and middle-income countries. Each foundation will contribute $100 million to this three-year initiative.
Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, highlighted the importance of breaking down barriers between different areas of research. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that obesity can be a risk factor for the severity of infectious diseases, while climate change-induced extreme weather events can lead to food insecurity, making undernourished children more vulnerable to diseases like measles and cholera.
Advancements in nutritional science and understanding the gut microbiome have provided insights into the impacts of over- and under-nutrition on health and development. The Novo Nordisk Foundation, which has a controlling interest in drugmaker Novo Nordisk, has seen success with its weight-loss drug Wegovy, underscoring the importance of this initiative.
The partners emphasized the need for renewed attention to global health post-pandemic and highlighted the importance of addressing market failures and promoting equitable access to medical advances. The funding will also support researchers in low- and middle-income countries, with opportunities for collaboration with private, philanthropic, and public partners.
Catherine Kyobutungi, executive director of the African Population and Health Research Center, stressed that effective solutions often emerge from the communities most affected by these challenges. This partnership represents a significant step towards addressing critical global health issues and promoting meaningful change.