Ideas

The latest stories, research, and news from across the foundation

logoFour things to know about the single-dose HPV vaccine

Anita Zaidi, the head of the Gates Foundation’s Gender Equality Division, explains how going down to one dose of the vaccine that prevents cervical cancer could save the lives of thousands of women each year

By Anita Zaidi

President, Gender Equality Division, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

logoWhat Melinda French Gates asked a Nobel Prize winner about women and power

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https://www.gatesfoundation.org/-/media/gfo/5ideas_articles/articles/20220622-how-to-eliminate-river-blindness-onchocerciasis-africa/social-sharing-image_ideas_danielboakyentds_062222.jpg?rev=7b83efd677e742d4a8d1c1d6497f67d9&w=1300&hash=B81A2FD90A30F2ACCF46D25CA4079104

Article

Ending neglect, ending disease: River blindness in West Africa

To eliminate devastating tropical diseases, affected countries must make a serious financial commitment and donors and partners must cede ownership of programs to the people on the ground who understand what needs to be done

Daniel Boakye

Senior Technical Advisor, END Fund

https://www.gatesfoundation.org/-/media/gfo/5ideas_articles/articles/20211103-syringe-vaccine-distribution-in-africa/heroideasarticleqasyringe110321ga16086336sc6143881600x1000.jpg?rev=f643f4c495784b1ca34d46c0660b34f2&w=1300&hash=25B90FF9D7D693E270CF826F18F6FA5C

Article

Amid surging demand for syringes, a new investment supports long-term supply on the African continent

The rollout of COVID-19 vaccines has led to a looming shortage of syringes for low- and middle-income countries that could impact immunization programs. A new foundation grant to a Kenyan medical supply company will help increase syringe supply and geographically diversify the supplier base.

Surabhi Rajaram

Program Officer, Global Delivery Programs, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

https://www.gatesfoundation.org/-/media/gfo/5ideas_articles/articles/20230705-mark-suzman-photos-kenya/hero_ideas_mark-kenya_ga17105295_bo649482_07052023_1600x1000.jpg?rev=79c65591ed19421097b31d13d948d6ab&w=1300&hash=91B2F43AF5ABB1F47C6B8CE94AABA501

Article

AI, baby chicks, and salty crickets: CEO mark Suzman in Kenya

Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman shares photos from his recent trip to Kenya, where he spent time learning from partners about new solutions in AI...and crickets.

Mark Suzman

CEO, Board Member, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

https://www.gatesfoundation.org/-/media/gfo/5ideas_articles/articles/20230607-goalkeepers-six-picks-thulile-khanyile/six-picks_thulile-khanyile.jpg?rev=824442487a1e45e4a3d8dd4bb4ec0cfd&w=1300&hash=1E7816D472D52DED87C81E2134CA7E9A

Article

Six picks from scientist Thulile Khanyile

When you need to look at a problem in a new light, turn to this South Africa scientists's recommendations

https://www.gatesfoundation.org/-/media/gfo/5ideas_articles/articles/20230601-maternal-newborn-health-innovation-policy-imnhc-2023/hero_ideas_imnhc_ga1277818_fc142060_06012023.jpg?rev=f5930487b0034c59babeb8ad1c2de942&w=1300&hash=4FC000FDA69444015AEE34592965565B

Article

I joined 1,800 maternal health experts in Cape Town. What i heard gave me hope for moms and newborns

Progress against maternal and newborn motarlity has stalled. But Dr. Sanjana Brardwaj says that new innovations and approaches could make pregnancy and childbirth safer for all.

Dr. Sanjana Bhardwaj

Deputy Director, Program Advocacy and Communications, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

https://www.gatesfoundation.org/-/media/gfo/5ideas_articles/articles/20230222-how-cemas-epidemiological-modeling-impacts-health-in-kenya/hero_ideas_cema-oral-history_kf_20230203-9_02222023_1600x1000.jpg?rev=ddd45f2dcbb444aeb628ef7b2b517f4a&w=1300&hash=839409C52397435E9B8ADFD4FCEF2E38

Article

Meet the innovators training the next generation of African data experts

When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, Kenya needed to slow the spread of the disease and understand its impact to essential health services. Three kenyans teamed up to help.

https://www.gatesfoundation.org/-/media/gfo/4our-work/places/africa/africasa_ga11111532_sr560220_1600x900.jpg?rev=51060977df93418fb220c8990d3feb93&w=1600&hash=F808D6616F52275F8CE144AD4A833B54

Article

To support innovators in Africa, create an environment where Africa R&D thrives

"We are best placed to answer the questions that impact us most" A conversation with Isabella Oyier and Abdoulaye Djimde

Abdoulaye Djimde and Isabella Oyier

https://www.gatesfoundation.org/-/media/gfo/5ideas_articles/articles/20220318-war-in-ukraine-and-global-food-crisis/hero_ideas_ukrainefoodsecurity_getty_1239230613_03182022_1600x1000.jpg?rev=8235940c2b284e1dbf8a6c764a47d0d5&w=1300&hash=76C7C21C909C4594DC93B4F2DE492798

Article

The world food system is under threat. It doesn't have to be that way.

Ukriane-related spikes in food prices are only the lastest evidence that the global agricultural system is broken. Governments around the world need to invest in a more resilient system that ensures a decent livelihood for smallholder farmers and prevents hunger in the face of crises of all kinds

Enock Chikava

Interim Director, Agricultural Development, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

https://www.gatesfoundation.org/-/media/gfo/5ideas_articles/articles/20220222-african-medicines-agency-improving-africas-health-security/hero_ideas_oumaramagetty1231343338_02222022_1600x1000.jpg?rev=376e60fa75844973b590c0a6becf8646&w=1300&hash=8C46915EB09278E86FCE48A9896B9EC7

Article

Africa's health security requires strong African regulators

The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us many lessons about health security - not the least that, when health resources are scarce, African countries cannot necessarily rely on imports to protect their people.

Cheikh Oumar Seydi and Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki

https://www.gatesfoundation.org/-/media/gfo/5ideas_articles/articles/20211214-kenya-gender-equality-roadmap/hero_ideas_kenyagenderequalitycampaign__ga15533971_121021.jpg?rev=6a80f77048dc4e68b823504d6cc37688&w=1300&hash=425CCAC6551B07FAD3BE57D765A444A9

Article

Inside the roadmap for advancing gender equality in Kenya

In response to Kenya's grassroots organizing, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a dozen concrete, actionalbe steps to end all forms of gender-based violence by 2026. A roadmap is in place to accomplish this.

Samburu Wa-shiko

Regional Reprensentative, East Africa, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Videos

https://www.gatesfoundation.org/-/media/gfo/5ideas_articles/articles/20231129-nneka-mobisson-mdoc-healthcare/ga17296252_nn665598_1600x1000.jpg?rev=19f42eaf702e4b2b962fc4947c98cd6e&w=1200&hash=C19CC376AE4FFD30A95EC087E776B2CAHow Nneka Mobisson and mDoc use AI and Large Language Models to drive health equity

Nneka Mobisson’s father believed in the power of technology to save lives in Africa. She’s honoring his memory by using AI to take on inequalities in healthcare.

https://www.gatesfoundation.org/-/media/gfo/5ideas_articles/articles/20231108-six-scientists-innovations-transform-future/darlington-akoko.png?rev=f7d36cef6ad54267a75cd0b0ed095a64&w=1200&hash=4C459803AD8053D6EA22C6A6A1CA663AA scientist uses AI to give Africans control of their health

Darlington Akogo, Founder & CEO of minoHealth AI Labs, discusses how his product can save lives with a “digital doctor.”

https://www.gatesfoundation.org/-/media/gfo/5ideas_articles/articles/20231113-bill-polio-survivors/polio-survivors-social-share_1600x1000.jpg?rev=4721f26df176446a86b491d78be7cc02&w=1200&hash=920B8365ACA6127602A8B2EBB77E7320Bill Gates talks with polio survivors

Why is polio eradication important? On his recent trip to Brussels, Bill Gates sat down with polio survivors and their families (hosted by Jacob Beautemps from Breaking Lab) to learn about their experiences with this preventable disease.

https://www.gatesfoundation.org/-/media/gfo/5ideas_articles/articles/20230824-bhatari-digital-inclusion/bhatari.png?rev=9a05bcff9e49489a88cb8e4513e73ab2&w=1200&hash=FCFCBEFA2228D34A711ECA5C0060F608Financial independence through last mile service delivery

Ram Bhatari, a recipient of the India Post Payments Bank’s door to door banking effort, tells her story about her pension with digital tools.

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Subscribe to The Optimist to get weekly updates on the latest in global health, gender equality, education, and more.

By submitting your email to subscribe, you agree to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Privacy & Cookies Notice

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