How is scientific progress helping to eradicate diseases?
The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee will hold one-off evidence investigating how UK science and research has contributed to disease eradication.
In the first panel, the cross-party Committee will question experts on HIV/AIDS and neglected tropical diseases.
Members may assess the global health burden of tropical diseases, the role that the UK Government plays in supporting R&D which contributes to the eradication and prevention of tropical diseases, such as advances on malaria vaccines They may also investigate HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, the target of stopping HIV transmission in England by 2030 and how close science is to global HIV/AIDS eradication.
Meeting details
In the second panel, Members will hear from leading academics on work to eradicate neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Questions may explore timelines for eliminating these diseases, the biggest obstacles to treating them, and recent developments in treatment, such as Lecanemab for dementia.
The Committee will then talk to experts about progress being made to eradicate some types of cancer. Experts could be asked about the timeline for the global eradication of cervical cancer; what further policy interventions, or tech advances, are needed to achieve this; and whether this would be possible for other types of cancer types.
Members may also seek to understand novel cancer treatments or diagnostic tools, as well as how the UK can position itself as a global leader in cancer research and treatment.