Neglected Tropical Diseases?

• A group of 17 communicable diseases that affect people mostly in tropical regions of poverty stricken areas around the world (WHO)
• 1.4 billion who suffer from NTDs are called the "bottom billion" (Choffnes).
• Lack of medical resources and funding, and unclean environments lead to the ever-growing burden of NTDs.
• Diseases like Ascariasis, Schistosomiasis, Leishmaniasis are prevalent throughout the areas in which the bottom billion live.

Stigma and Other Lasting Effects

• NTDs that leave permanent scars, abnormal growths, and blindness prevent those who suffer from finding marriage, jobs, and childbearing (Choffnes).
• Children inflicted with NTDs suffer physically, mentally, and socially (Choffnes).
• Taking care of the sick could lead to the caregivers themselves getting infected by NTDs, continuing the ongoing cycle of disease transmission.

Our Nation's Involvement

• NIAID has been involved for several years now (NIH)
• CDC has been working for over 20 years, examining, evaluating, and trying to also defeat 7 of the NTDs (CDC)
• USAID have focused on the mass production of chemotherapy so they, too, can help control and eradicate NTDs (USAID).
• More action from the US is needed; NTDs are able to pass to unsuspecting people that travel and continue the cycle, here in the US as well.

A Healthier World for All

"When it comes to global health, there is no 'them'... only 'us.'" - Global Health Council

• Pharmaceutical companies donated approximately 2.4 billion tablets (Uniting to Combat)
• Pharmaceutical partners are working to increase the efficiency of chemotherapy programs, which are cost efficient (Uniting to Combat).
• In two years (2012-2014), those who needed treatment decreased by over 230 million (Uniting to Combat).