AndyPR
Senior Member
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A report into the funding of ME/CFS by major institutional funders over the past decade was unveiled today at the UK ME/CFS Research Collaborative (CMRC) conference in Newcastle (read the report; pdf). The CMRC had commissioned ÜberResearch to interrogate its Dimensions database for relevant funding information on ME/CFS in comparison with other diseases. Surprisingly, there had never been an analysis of research funding into ME/CFS, so a clear picture of the levels of funding provided, how these have changed over time, and how they compare with funding for other chronic illnesses is long overdue.
Overall, the report presents hard evidence of the chronic lack of research funding for ME/CFS from major funding agencies. It shows that research funding has been low-level and patchy, and highlights the need for increased investment, particularly in high-quality studies of biological mechanisms and treatments. The low level of investment by major funding agencies is particularly shocking given the scale and impact of ME/CFS on individuals and society. Around 250,000 people in the UK have ME/CFS, which is at least as disabling as multiple sclerosis and congestive heart failure. Many more people – carers, children and family members – are directly affected by the illness each year. The economic cost of ME/CFS was estimated at £6.4 billion per year in the UK some years ago, and this figure will certainly have increased since.
Link to ME Research article http://www.meresearch.org.uk/news/mecfs-funding-report/
Link to report (PDF) http://www.meresearch.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/mecfs-research-funding-report-2016-final.pdf