lic sectors. Currently, about 10 percent of health research worldwide is directed toward the needs of developing countries by both the public and the private sectors, but only 2 percent of that money is going toward the six most important infectious disease processes in those countries: AIDS, malaria, respiratory infections, diarrhea, TB, and measles. The directions of both public- and private-sector research need to be refocused back toward infectious diseases.

Emerging infections are a critical phenomenon. The globalization occurring in the world community provides a reminder of this fact. Efforts to combat emerging infections require a global response to provide adequate financial support. Public commitment needs to be developed, for where there is public commitment it will be followed by political resolve, and where there is both political and public determination there are windows of opportunity to eradicate and eliminate infectious diseases.