A new global commitment to disease control in Africa

Despite the availability of effective therapies in developed nations, infec tious diseases continue to take a grave toll on the population and economy of sub-Saharan Africa. Aside from a few succeses, the global donor communit y has not adequately helped African governments meet these health challenge s. However, if annual donor contributions increased approximately 10-20-fol d, millions of lives could be saved, helping Africa escape the cycle of dis ease and impoverishment.