We have joined a historic effort to eradicate two diseases of deepest poverty by 2030
As idealists, we believe in a future where stone-age infections for which medicine already has the drugs are gone forever. These problems should not still exist, maiming, stigmatizing, and financially ruining people!
Yet, we are realists, as the United Nations and scientists have set a goal of 2030 for eradication
We are practical, as we are working in the Western Hemisphere, and drug companies have already donated the drugs worldwide to forever end these infections.
We seek to help engineer ways to effectively, efficiently, and transparently deliver these free drugs to our poorest brothers and sisters, the least of these.
We seek to prevent more ruined lives from diseases they received only because they were born into extreme poverty.
We also seek to point out that with all the talk about diversity, equity and inclusion these days . . .
Those who are living in deepest poverty are of all faiths and ethnicities,
The poorest are not all included yet in access to free drugs that permanently stop these diseases, and
The two diseases are both causes and consequences of poverty----they KEEP whole communities trapped at the extreme pole of inequity, where some cannot escape premature illness, disability or death---and family / neighbors suffer myriad consequences.