Communicable disease research

Infectious diseases linked to poverty, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and neglected tropical diseases, have a significant negative impact on social development.

Despite progress towards the control and elimination of these diseases, the Western Pacific Region is also facing emerging threats such as drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis and malaria, the increased risk of infection faced by vulnerable populations, and the effects of climate change.

While new tools and strategies are badly needed to tackle these challenges, research capacity, especially in less-developed countries, is often insufficient.

In collaboration with the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), WHO Collaborating Centres, academic institutions, and partners, WHO has established unique mechanisms to support capacity building, such as small grant programme and scientific writing workshops. WHO also supports various research into the monitoring of malaria drug efficacy, assessment of drug safety, vector control, inter-sectoral approaches and climate change.