Research

We need more knowledge

All of DAHW's mandated diseases are actually curable. Nevertheless, they claim millions of lives every year and cause disabilities, some of which are extremely severe. Those affected are marginalized and discriminated against. To solve this problem in the long term, one thing above all is needed: more knowledge. That is why DAHW is more active than ever in the area of research.

Medicines alone do not help

To effectively counter the spread of leprosy and other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), more than effective medicines are needed: Only practicable, cross-sectoral overall concepts that include all social determinants can sustainably combat poverty-associated and neglected diseases. People's living conditions must be improved overall, and economic, physical and psychological barriers to health care must be removed.

Due to the lack of public funding and the fact that most pharmaceutical companies focus on more lucrative projects, it is primarily non-governmental organizations such as DAHW that initiate research initiatives in the NTD field and finance them with donations and/or third-party funding.

Current research projects

The focus of DAHW's research work today is on biomedical, operational and socio-medical research for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of leprosy, Buruli ulcer and other NTDs, as well as tuberculosis.

Currently, DAHW is implementing 23 research projects in twelve countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. 20 of these projects are funded through DAHW's special budget for research. Two research projects are implemented in cooperation with the International Leprosy Research Initiative (LRI), one on the involvement of traditional healers in leprosy case finding in Sierra Leone and one on mental health in people affected by neglected tropical diseases. The leprosy research project "PEP4LEP", which we are implementing together with national and international partners in Tanzania and Ethiopia, is realized within the EDCTP2 program supported by the European Union (grant number RIA2017NIM-1839 PEP4LEP) and the LRI.

Lepra-Prophylaxe "PEP4LEP"

Die Einmalgabe des Antibiotikas Rifampicin kann die Übertragung der Lepra auf Kontaktpersonen von Betroffenen verhindern. Die Studie "PEP4LEP" soll herausfinden, wie sich diese Prophylaxe-Maßnahme bestmöglich implementieren lässt.

Lepra-Impfstoff "LepVax"

Die Lepra-Prophylaxe "LPEP" kann die Übertragung der Lepra auf Kontaktpersonen von akut erkrankten Lepra-Patient:innen verhindern. Um Menschen langfristig vor Lepra zu schützen, forschen wir seit über 17 Jahren an einem Impfstoff.

Nachrichten aus der DAHW-Forschung

Die DAHW ist Gründungsmitglied der "International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations" (ILEP). Heute gehören der Internationalen Vereinigung der Lepra-Hilfswerke zwölf weitere Organisationen an.

Die 2003 gegründete "European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership" (EDCTP) ermöglicht klinische Studien und die Entwicklung neuer Medikamente und Impfstoffe gegen armutsbedingte Infektionskrankheiten.

Zur "Globalen Partnerschaft für die Eliminierung der Lepra" (GPZL) zählen zahlreiche Lepra-Hilfswerke, nationale Lepra-Programme, wissenschaftliche Organisationen und akademische Institutionen.

Die Internationale Lepra-Forschungsinitative (LRI) wurde 2013 unter dem Dach der ILEP unter Beteiligung der DAHW ins Leben gerufen und mit finanziellen Mitteln für eigene Projekte ausgestattet.

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With your help we can help people who are affected or threatened by leprosy.