The Bill & Melinda Gates foundation launched the Grand Challenges in Global Health (GCGH) in partnership with the National Institutes of Health in 2003 which, according to the GCGH website, is aimed at "creating new tools that can radically improve health in the developing world." So far, 45 grants totaling $458 million were awarded for research projects involving scientists in over 30 countries.1
But where has all the money actually gone? Towards developing and implementing water purification and sanitation systems? Or basic nutritional support aimed at optimizing immune function? How about providing shelter and medical facilities for the homeless? Not even close.
For example, a $100K grant was recently disbursed to Seth C. Kalichman,
professor at the Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, for
"Establishing an Anti-Vaccine Surveillance and Alert System," which intends to
"establish an internet-based global monitoring and rapid alert system for
finding, analyzing, and counteracting misinformation communication
campaigns regarding vaccines to support global immunization efforts."
Read the full article by Sayer Ji at GreenMedInfo.com.