In the shadow of HIV/AIDS: forgotten diseases in sub-Saharan Africa: global health issues and funding agency responsibilities.

The HIV/AIDS pandemic has generated international solidarity, particularly with sub-Saharan Africa. The mainly vertical approach to this challenge has, however, mobilized so much attention and so many resources that other crucial public health problems, such as chronic viral hepatitis and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), have been left in the shadows. One year after the first official World Hepatitis Day launched by WHO and the first UN meeting on NCDs, the world needs a vigorous debate on a more comprehensive approach to public health challenges in developing countries.