The Gates Foundation on Monday said it is committing to invest $2.5 billion over the next five years to accelerate research and development in neglected areas of women’s health.

The funding will be channeled toward five priority areas of research that are particularly important to low- and middle-income countries. Among the targets for investment are contraception, maternal health, obstetric care, maternal immunization and sexually transmitted infections.

“This is the largest investment we’ve ever made in women’s health research and development, but it still falls far short of what is needed in a neglected and underfunded area of huge human need and opportunity,” Anita Zaidi, president of the Gates Foundation’s Gender Equality Division, said in a statement.

Health conditions that primar

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