Rare disease patients are faced with common challenges derived from the rarity of their conditions and aggravated by the low priority given to rare diseases globally. Rare diseases are often chronic, progressive, degenerative, disabling and life-threatening.
A long road to diagnosis, lack of adequate treatments and care are challenges faced by rare disease patients around the world. These difficulties are greater in many developing nations.
Addressing rare diseases on an international level is critical to reduce health inequalities between populations worldwide and ensure that people living with a rare disease have access to the same resources as any other population.
We work to:
RDI recognises that people living with a rare disease are facing similar challenges irrespective of where they live in the world. The over 300 million people living with one of over 6,000 known rare diseases around the world share a common interest to address their comparable or specific needs.
RDI helps ensure that people living with a rare disease worldwide and their families experience better recognition and support, improved health or social services, and overall a better life.
RDI’s mission is to be a strong common voice for people living with a rare disease around the world.