Thank you, Lee, for this eye-opening and thorough introduction to the issue of lack of access to analgesics. I can’t believe the scale of the problem! With the immense scale and striking neglectedness of the problem, and the potential for leaps in gains with changes to state/national policies, I’m sure it deserves a high priority for changemakers.
Causes like this are why I’ve always thought that effective altruism is just as important to be taken up in poor countries as much as rich ones – internal changemakers are invaluable here, as you’ve stated. University of Wisconsin’s fellowship program does look promising. I’m sure they would accept external money if there was enough interest. Good luck with this important cause, Lee! Don’t let any close-minded person tell you increasing access to analgesics isn’t a suitable cause for EA’s because it’s not easily quantifiable.
Yes, it’s actually very large. So large, in fact, that it seems to be taken for granted by many people in those countries with low access.
I’ve withheld strong judgement on whether it should be a cause area that other EAs should act on. I think it could be a particularly attractive area for EAs with certain ethical preferences.
Before funding programmes such as PPSG’s, further analyses of the cause and the programme(s) are warranted. I’d be open to suggestions on how to carry those out from anyone with experience, or I’d be happy to discuss the matter with anyone interested in taking it forward themselves.
Thank you, Lee, for this eye-opening and thorough introduction to the issue of lack of access to analgesics. I can’t believe the scale of the problem! With the immense scale and striking neglectedness of the problem, and the potential for leaps in gains with changes to state/national policies, I’m sure it deserves a high priority for changemakers.
Causes like this are why I’ve always thought that effective altruism is just as important to be taken up in poor countries as much as rich ones – internal changemakers are invaluable here, as you’ve stated. University of Wisconsin’s fellowship program does look promising. I’m sure they would accept external money if there was enough interest. Good luck with this important cause, Lee! Don’t let any close-minded person tell you increasing access to analgesics isn’t a suitable cause for EA’s because it’s not easily quantifiable.
Thanks Austen!
Yes, it’s actually very large. So large, in fact, that it seems to be taken for granted by many people in those countries with low access.
I’ve withheld strong judgement on whether it should be a cause area that other EAs should act on. I think it could be a particularly attractive area for EAs with certain ethical preferences.
Before funding programmes such as PPSG’s, further analyses of the cause and the programme(s) are warranted. I’d be open to suggestions on how to carry those out from anyone with experience, or I’d be happy to discuss the matter with anyone interested in taking it forward themselves.