Schizophrenia is a serious chronic brain disorder that affects approximately 24 million people worldwide. Individuals with schizophrenia experience a variety of symptoms—psychosis being the most widely recognized—and face a reduced life expectancy of 15 to 20 years, largely due to medication side effects and co-occurring conditions such as cardiovascular disease, substance use disorders, and depression.

Care systems for people with schizophrenia are often fragmented and reactive, rather than proactive. Those with untreated symptoms frequently rely on emergency services during crises and may cycle through hospitalization, homelessness, and involvement with the criminal justice system. In the US, this pattern contributes to an estimated annual economic burden of over $300 billion—on par with that of chronic diseases like diabetes.

Despite its widespread impact, schizophrenia research remains significantly underfunded. Moreover, current funding often overlooks areas that matter most to individuals with lived experience and fails to prioritize opportunities to develop new therapies in the near term.

While scientific understanding has advanced significantly in recent years—particularly in genetics and brain pathology—these discoveries have not yet translated into improved diagnosis, care, or outcomes today, only about 20 percent of people diagnosed with schizophrenia achieve functional recovery.

To identify how philanthropic funding can address the obstacles to better schizophrenia care, the Milken Institute Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration has developed the report Schizophrenia Research and Care: Assessment of Challenges and Opportunities. This publication synthesizes an extensive literature review and insights from over 70 experts across diverse specialties and backgrounds, including those with lived experience. The report identifies five key areas where targeted philanthropy can drive meaningful progress:

• research priorities
• clinical treatment
• models of care
• social context
• systemic barriers

A forthcoming companion publication will explore care models and access in greater depth, offering a roadmap to transition from crisis-driven systems to proactive, person-centered care for individuals living with schizophrenia. Together, these efforts reflect a strategic approach to advancing schizophrenia research and care.