The most neglected diseases are poverty, hunger, homelessness, and addiction,
all of which are intractable and ubiquitous. These pandemic diseases are
especially devastating, because they leave victims stigmatized, ostracized, and
isolated - without opportunity, hope, or the will to live. The Gates Foundation
should approach these diseases as interrelated elements of a single syndrome
and fund non-pharmaceutical interdisciplinary research which seeks new
understanding and practical treatment modalities. Let’s shine a light of
attention and compassion on those who are neglected and helpless.

Competing interests:
None declared