Fabio Ynoe de Moraes, Associate Professor at the Queen’s University, shared on LinkedIn:

“Latin America’s Critical Fight: The Alarming Underfunding of Cancer Research.

The need for increased investment in cancer research is particularly pressing for developing tailored strategies within Hispanic populations.

A stark contrast is evident in the investment levels between Latin American countries and developed nations.

During 2008–2015, the percentage of GDP spent on research and development in Latin America averaged only 0.66%. This figure varied among countries, with Brazil at 1.18%, Argentina at 0.6%, Mexico at 0.4%, Chile at 0.37%, and both Colombia and Peru at 0.15%. In comparison, developed countries like South Korea (3.74%), Japan (3.36%), the US (2.9%), and Germany (2.8%) invested significantly more, nearly 3.4 times higher.

This disparity highlights a critical gap in resources necessary for advancing cancer research tailored to regional needs.

It’s imperative for Latin American countries to formalize and prioritize cancer research funding.

Only through concerted efforts and increased investment can we effectively address the unique challenges of cancer treatment and prevention in our region. The time to act is now.”

Source: Fabio Ynoe de Moraes/LinkedIn