Neglected tropical diseases

NTDs include: buruli ulcer, chagas disease, dengue and chikungunya, dracunculiasis, echinococcosis, foodborne trematodiases, human African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, mycetoma, chromoblastomycosis and other deep mycoses, onchocerciasis, rabies, scabies and other ectoparasitoses, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiases, snakebite envenoming, taeniasis and cysticercosis, trachoma, and yaws. 

The epidemiology of NTDs is complex; some have animal and/or human reservoirs, many are vector-borne, and most are associated with intricate life cycles. Preventing or eliminating NTDs is therefore challenging.   

People affected by  parasitic infections experience long term adverse health and educational outcomes, making it difficult for them to earn a living and limiting productivity in school and at work. Some NTDs, such as lymphatic filariasis, can cause severe disfigurement and disability, leading to stigmatisation and social exclusion, which in turn can impact mental health and economic productivity.  

Why are they called ‘neglected’ tropical diseases? 

The word ‘neglected’ is used because these diseases generally affect people who are underserved and marginalised, lacking access to basic services, and whose political influence may be limited. This results in the neglect of these diseases in domestic and global health agendas, in terms of political prioritisation and resource allocation.   

How can neglected tropical diseases be eliminated? 

The World Health Organization NTD road map for 2021-2030 sets out ambitious targets, aligned with those of the Sustainable Development Goals, for tackling many of these diseases. As outlined in the road map, addressing NTDs requires a comprehensive approach, working across different sectors including health, water, sanitation, environment, behaviour, vector control and veterinary public health. Subsequently, the global strategy on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and NTDs and the One Health approach for action against NTDs demonstrate how other essential components for elimination of NTDs can be achieved in practice.  

To succeed, NTD programmes are shifting away from funding and delivering disease-specific interventions in isolation, towards inclusion in existing health services. Find out how we are working with our ministry of health partners to encourage cross-sectoral collaboration and country-owned solutions that eliminate preventable infections in our 2023 – 2028 strategy.