Moreover, the limited understanding of many rare diseases poses significant obstacles to the development of effective therapies. With only a handful of patients available for clinical trials, research into these conditions is often underfunded and progresses at a slower pace compared to more common diseases. Consequently, individuals living with rare diseases may have few, if any, treatment options available to them. As rare diseases each individually affect a small number of individuals, they have been 'orphaned' by the pharmaceutical industry, which has promoted the use of the term 'orphan disease' when referring to these conditions. Another critical issue facing the rare disease community is the lack of specialized healthcare providers and support services. Many rare diseases require multidisciplinary care from experts in various medical specialties, but access to such expertise can be limited, particularly in rural or underserved areas. Globally, less than 10% of patients with rare diseases receive disease-specific treatment. However, recent years have seen a growing awareness of rare diseases, leading to increased efforts to address the unmet needs of those affected. Since most rare diseases are genetic in their etiology, systematic research on them starts with efforts to identify genetic variants causative for each particular disease, with links between genetic mutations and diseases identified. Advances in genomic sequencing technologies and precision medicine hold promise for improved diagnosis and targeted treatments for many rare diseases. Additionally, initiatives such as orphan drug legislation and incentives for rare disease research have motivated pharmaceutical companies to invest in the development of therapies for these often-neglected conditions.