GFinder 2017 – EU overtakes UK in global health R&D funding rankings
But declining international funding means worrying outlook for HIV & AIDS, TB, and malaria research
According to new GFinder data released today, the European Union has become the second-largest funder of global health research focused on HIV & AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases. EU support is in marked contrast to overall trends for global health research, which has declined for the fifth time in the last six years and is further threatened by the impact of Brexit and the Trump administration.
Brussels, February 16, 2017: A new report launched in Brussels today reveals that the European Union has overtaken the UK for the first time since 2008 as the world’s second-largest public funder of global health research targeted at HIV & AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases. The EU’s support for research funding increased 20% year-on-year, totalling $125m. The EU’s increased investment in this area bucks the global trend, with both the US and the UK reducing their funding in 2015. The US still remains the world’s largest public funder, accounting for over two-thirds of all global health research funding.
“No time for backslapping and celebrating”
Speaking at the launch of the 2017 GFinder report in Brussels, Cecile Vernant, Head of Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung’s (DSW) EU office, said: “It is obviously good news that, in bucking the trends of other major donors, the EU is increasing the money it spends on life-saving research. The EU is clearly committed to research for diseases like HIV & AIDS and malaria, research which not only saves lives but also creates jobs and growth here in Europe.
“However, we should save the celebratory back-slapping for later. Overall, funding for global health research continues to decline alarmingly. Looming political threats linked to Brexit and the Trump administration could jeopardise even more the good work that has been done to roll back these diseases in the last two decades. That’s why the EU needs to continue to invest in, and step up its leadership of, global health innovation.”
2015 – Lowest level of US government funding on record
The ninth annual GFINDER report, launched today by Policy Cures Research at an event hosted by Friends of Europe in Brussels, found that $3.041bn was invested in global health research in 2015, a decline of 2.3% since 2014. This is the third consecutive decline in funding, which has now fallen in every year but one since 2009. This worrying decline in funding is reflected in the fact that this year’s report marked the lowest level of public funding for research since 2007, and the lowest level of US government funding on record.
GFINDER: Neglected diseases research and development – A pivotal moment for global health. The full G-FINDER report can be found here: http://www.policycuresresearch.org/g-finder/
Contact:
Eoghan Walsh – Communications Officer, Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung (DSW)
T: +32 (0) 2 504 90 66
Notes to the Editor
- Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW) focuses on the needs and potential of the largest youth generation in history. We are committed to creating demand for and access to health information, services and supplies, and to securing their right for a brighter future. We achieve this by engaging in gender sensitive advocacy, capacity development, and family planning initiatives. With our headquarters Germany, DSW maintains offices in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, as well as liaison offices in Berlin and Brussels. DSW also advocates for investment in research and innovation to fight poverty-related and neglected tropical diseases.
