Rare diseases affect fewer than 1 in 2,000 people, yet over 300 million individuals worldwide live with them. Examples include Huntington’s disease, muscular dystrophy, and cystic fibrosis.

Challenges in Diagnosis

Because these conditions are so rare, patients often wait years for a correct diagnosis. Symptoms mimic more common diseases, leading to frustration and emotional exhaustion.

The Financial and Emotional Toll

Treatment costs are high, and few pharmaceutical companies invest in rare disease research due to limited profit. This leaves patients dependent on community organizations for support and awareness.

Hope from Technology

AI-driven diagnostics, gene editing tools like CRISPR, and personalized medicine are giving new hope to rare disease patients. Governments and charities are funding new studies to find cures faster than ever before.