Background Information:

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of 20 conditions that are mainly prevalent in tropical areas, where they mostly affect more than 1 billion people who live mostly in impoverished communities. They are caused by a variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins.

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/cysticercosis,
• trachoma, and
• yaws.

They are ‘neglected’ because they are almost absent from the global health agenda. Even today, when the focus is on Universal Health Coverage, NTDs have very limited resources and are almost ignored by global funding agencies. NTDs are diseases of neglected populations that perpetuate a cycle of poor educational outcomes and limited professional opportunities and are associated with stigma and social exclusion.

Key Messages:

More than 1 billion people are affected by NTDs. In total, 1.7 billion people need preventive treatment every year.

A total of 757 million people received NTD treatment in 2020.

Campaign Messages

1. Re-energize the movement to combat NTDs
   2022: the year to shine a spotlight on NTDs and the suffering they cause, and to call for comprehensive, universal care for everyone affected. It is our collective responsibility to end diseases that are entirely preventable.
2. Use innovative services to ensure continued access to NTD services during COVID-19
   Countries and NTD programmes must use innovations that have emerged before and during the pandemic to address disruptions and delays to the delivery of services.
3. Encourage collaboration across sectors such as health, education, mental health, nutrition
   Countries can beat NTDs through bold investments, actions and collaboration. WHO’s new NTD roadmap focuses on the value of integrating approaches and focusing on a number of specific NTDs.
4. Engage and support community health workers and volunteers
   Countries can beat NTDs through bold investments, actions and collaboration. WHO’s new NTD roadmap focuses on the value of integrating approaches and focusing on a number of specific NTDs.
5. Engage communities
   Informed and educated communities can help in the prevention, control and elimination of NTDs.

NTDs and equity

1. Equity in access
   Free or affordable access to NTD services should be available to everyone in need.
2. Equity in care
   The burden of NTDs should be fully addressed, including treatment, management of disability, and doing away with stigma and social exclusion.
3. Equity in recognition
   It is essential to acknowledge everyone’s contribution to defeating NTDs – from community volunteers to policymakers.

Useful Link:

Link to the related WHO page:

https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-ntd-day/world-ntd-day-2022