The ResIn study has published a new paper that covers all 17 years of the UK dataset so far (1997-2013) and compiled some new metrics describing the comparisons between disease burden and amount of research funding going towards specific infectious diseases. We find, for example, that some of the neglected tropical diseases continue to be well-funded and could probably be described as a UK research strength; influenza also comes out well in our analysis thanks to relatively recent large investments in respiratory research. Conversely, there is still little funding available for some non-HIV sexually-transmitted infections such as gonorrhoea and syphilis.

The full paper is open access, published in EBioMedicine. Click here for the manuscript.

Citation –
Head MG, Fitchett JR, Nageshwaran V, Kumari N, Hayward AC, Atun R. Research investments in global health: a systematic analysis of UK infectious disease research funding and global health metrics, 1997-2013. EBioMedicine. 2015. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2015.12.016

ResIn co-founder Michael Head recently presented data on antimicrobial resistance research funding at a British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy meeting, taking place at the Wellcome Collection in London.

To see what Michael had to say, Click here to visit the website showing the talks presented at the meeting entitled ‘Re-stoking the therapy pipeline – How to stimulate the development of new antibiotics, diagnostics and novel therapies’.

So the update analysis covering 2011-2013 is in full swing, we have written and submitted our first paper using that data (on HIV and other STIs). A norovirus paper shall be submitted soon and an overall summary paper is nearing completion and should be submitted well before Easter. A pneumonia investments paper is also a priority for us, as is an ebola research and implementation investments analysis. We are also beginning to look at ‘investments v research impact’, particularly in the area of bibliometrics, and exploring other areas of work and collaboration with national and international colleagues.

Two new papers were published in August 2014. Both are open-access.

Fitchett JR, Head MG, Cooke MK, Wurie FB, Atun R. Funding Infectious Disease Research: A Systematic Analysis of UK Research Investments by Funders 1997–2010. PLOS One. August 2014. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105722

Head MG, Fitchett JR, Cooke GS, Foster GR, Atun R; Systematic analysis of funding awarded for viral hepatitis-related research to institutions in the United Kingdom, 1997-2010 – Journal of Viral Hepatitis. August 2014. DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12300

Welcome to the newly-refurbished Research Investments in Global Health website! As part of the study aim to present funding information in a transparent and clear fashion, we have updated each page and added a wealth of information into the about the study and study results webpages.

See also our peer-reviewed outputs listed at the publications link. And then there is our open-access searchable database that can be used to present infectious disease research investments, tailored to your interests.

We have so far analysed infectious disease investments awarded to UK institutions from 1997-2010. We are updating this analysis to include award data up to the end of 2013, and we will begin to publish this work towards the end of 2014 or early 2015. We are also working on a similar analysis of cancer care investments, and are collaborating with colleagues at Harvard on an international study.

Keep an eye on this website for the latest information. And if you wish to join our mailing list, then see the contact page.