3 ms·
... diseases that affect the poor in other countries. As an organization funded by US tax dollars, NIH is primarily responsible for advancing the health of Ame
by tsotha 13y ago
... diseases that affect the poor in other countries. As an organization funded by US tax dollars, NIH is primarily responsible for advancing the health of Americans. It's not an international charity.
- logicchains 13y agoUnfortunately, the poor in America are more affected by 'lifestyle diseases' (smoking and obesity related illnesses, for instance), which may be more difficult to cure as they need to be addressed from a social angle, not just a medical one.
- tsotha 13y agoMore difficult than malaria or AIDS? I doubt it. Diabetes will probably be a much easier nut to crack than either, with or without lifestyle changes.
- logicchains 13y agoWell according to some graphs I found on Google, malaria mortality rates have reduced significantly in the past few decades [1], as have AIDS death rates [2]. Diabetes rates and mortality have however been continuously increasing. 1. http://www.umich.edu/~csfound/545/1995/land05.jpg http://www.umich.edu/~csfound/545/1995/land05.jpg 2. http://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/images/colorbox/drugfactshiv2.jpg http://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/images/colorbox...
- tsotha 13y agoSo diabetes should be the easiest one to attack.
- logicchains 13y agoHow might it be attacked, from a medicinal perspective?
- tsotha 13y agoWe already have at least one drug that increases sensitivity to insulin. There's room for improvement, though. Also, artificial pancreases are in the trial stage.