Part 6/9:
Not every disease on the WHO list is treated equally. For example, HIV isn't included despite its ongoing impact because we already have effective drugs, preventive strategies, and mechanisms to manage it. The decision to prioritize hinges on factors like disease transmission patterns, mortality rates, and economic costs.
Determining what makes a disease worthy of immediate investment involves complex considerations. Take Ebola: its high mortality rate and potential for rapid spread justify prioritization. Conversely, SARS has only caused significant outbreaks once in decades, which raises questions about how resources should be allocated—balancing the likelihood and impact of outbreaks versus recurring threats.