Repository of problems worth solving
World Solve is a public institutional repository for identifying real unresolved problems across science, society, health, governance, economics, and local systems. Each entry is intended to be citable, inspectable, and actionable.
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4094Total
4094Open
0Solved
9Humans
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Many people who experience one episode of depression go on to experience another, and current treatments don't reliably prevent this recurrence. Better long-term prevention strategies remain an important gap in mental health care.
health-biology
global-unspecified
mental-health
don
prevent
recurrence
depression
episode
have
effective
way
first
experience
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
resolved
agreed
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Stomach cancer often causes no clear symptoms until it has progressed significantly, particularly in regions without routine screening programs. Earlier, more accessible detection could substantially improve survival outcomes.
health-biology
global-unspecified
stomach
cancer
haven
found
reliable
way
detect
early-stage
becomes
advanced
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
resolved
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Infections like Zika or cytomegalovirus can cause serious birth defects if contracted during pregnancy, and prevention options remain limited in many regions. Better vaccines or protective treatments remain needed to close this gap.
health-biology
global-unspecified
birth
defects
infections
during
pregnancy
yet
fully
prevent
caused
certain
philosophy-ethics
whether
haven
way
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Osteoarthritis treatment currently focuses on managing pain and preserving remaining function rather than restoring lost cartilage. A regenerative treatment could transform care for one of the most common causes of chronic pain in older adults.
health-biology
global-unspecified
cartilage
causes
osteoarthritis
don
have
effective
way
reverse
loss
treatment
philosophy-ethics
whether
determine
resolved
agreed
open
United States, North America
Thousands of patients remain on transplant waiting lists that never resolve in time, largely because donor organ supply can't keep pace with demand. Alternatives like lab-grown organs remain the most promising but still unrealized solution.
local-regional
north-america
united-states
organ
patients
donor
haven
solved
make
transplants
available
relying
solely
global-unspecified
whether
philosophy-ethics
health-biology
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Post-viral fatigue syndromes, including long COVID, leave some patients exhausted for months or years after the initial infection has cleared, and the biological mechanism remains unclear. Understanding this could unlock treatment for a currently poorly understood condition.
health-biology
global-unspecified
fatigue
long
yet
fully
explain
chronic
sometimes
follows
viral
infections
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
haven
resolved
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Repeated gout attacks can cause lasting joint damage even with treatment, and prevention still relies mainly on managing uric acid levels rather than fully eliminating the underlying risk. A more definitive prevention method remains unmet.
health-biology
global-unspecified
joint
damage
gout
attacks
don
have
reliable
way
prevent
caused
whether
philosophy-ethics
resolved
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Narcolepsy causes sudden, uncontrollable sleep episodes that significantly disrupt daily life, and current treatments manage symptoms rather than address the underlying cause. A true cure remains undiscovered.
health-biology
global-unspecified
cure
narcolepsy
manage
symptoms
haven
found
way
only
its
medication
philosophy-ethics
whether
determine
mathematics-logic
don
resolved
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
This parasitic disease affects millions in tropical and subtropical regions, but effective treatment remains expensive, difficult to access, or logistically challenging for many affected communities. Closing this access gap remains unresolved.
health-biology
global-unspecified
regions
don
have
affordable
cure
leishmaniasis
available
all
endemic
remains
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
way
resolved
agreed
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
This rare but severe condition can develop rapidly after childbirth, and delays in recognition and treatment can have dangerous consequences for both mother and baby. Faster, more reliable detection and treatment protocols remain an urgent unmet need.
health-biology
global-unspecified
haven
solved
treat
postpartum
psychosis
quickly
enough
prevent
serious
harm
whether
philosophy-ethics
way
determine
resolved
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Diabetic retinopathy remains a leading cause of blindness among working-age adults, and while treatment can slow progression, prevention before damage begins remains incomplete. Earlier, more effective prevention could protect vision for millions of diabetics.
health-biology
global-unspecified
diabetic
vision
retinopathy
yet
fully
prevent
loss
caused
all
patients
philosophy-ethics
whether
way
mathematics-logic
resolved
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Malnutrition rates spike dramatically in areas affected by war, but delivering treatment consistently in unstable, hard-to-reach regions remains a persistent logistical and medical challenge. Solving this requires both medical and access innovation.
health-biology
global-unspecified
malnutrition
access
don
have
scalable
solution
treating
conflict
zones
aid
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
way
resolved
agreed
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Persistent dizziness and balance problems can severely affect quality of life, yet treatment for many chronic cases remains limited and inconsistent. A more reliable, targeted treatment approach remains undeveloped.
health-biology
global-unspecified
cases
chronic
haven
found
effective
way
treat
vertigo
treatment
remains
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
resolved
determine
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Chronic stress is linked to heart disease, digestive problems, and other physical illnesses, but why some people are more vulnerable to these effects than others isn't fully explained. Understanding this could improve both prevention and treatment.
health-biology
global-unspecified
fully
chronic
stress
physical
some
people
others
yet
understand
leads
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
haven
resolved
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Even with strict sterile procedures, a portion of surgical patients still develop infections afterward, extending recovery and sometimes causing serious complications. Reducing this risk further remains an ongoing surgical challenge.
health-biology
global-unspecified
infections
don
have
reliable
way
prevent
postoperative
meaningful
share
surgeries
philosophy-ethics
whether
resolved
determine
agreed
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
The vast majority of autoimmune disease diagnoses occur in women, and the biological reasons behind this imbalance remain only partially understood. A clearer answer could open new treatment approaches for both sexes.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
autoimmune
women
haven
solved
diseases
disproportionately
affect
men
vast
majority
health-biology
whether
philosophy-ethics
resolved
yet
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Highly effective hepatitis C treatments exist, but cost and healthcare access still prevent many infected people worldwide from receiving them. Expanding affordable access remains the primary barrier rather than the science itself.
health-biology
global-unspecified
effective
hepatitis
don
have
widely
available
cure
chronic
every
region
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
way
resolved
agreed
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Diagnosing Alzheimer's currently often requires expensive brain imaging or invasive procedures, limiting how widely early detection can be used. A cheap, accessible blood test could change how early treatment can begin.
health-biology
global-unspecified
alzheimer
blood
test
haven
found
reliable
way
detect
early-stage
simple
whether
philosophy-ethics
determine
early
don
resolved
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
COPD gradually reduces lung function over years, and while treatment can ease symptoms and slow decline, it can't reverse the underlying lung damage. A cure remains out of reach for the millions living with this condition.
health-biology
global-unspecified
cure
slow
yet
chronic
obstructive
pulmonary
disease
only
its
progression
philosophy-ethics
whether
mathematics-logic
determine
way
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Even when people successfully lose significant weight, the body's biology often works to regain it over time, undermining long-term success. Understanding and countering this biological pushback remains a major open challenge.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
weight
regain
haven
solved
prevent
follows
successful
loss
efforts
even
whether
philosophy-ethics
resolved
determine
way
health-biology
