Overcoming the global burden of neglected tropical diseases

Abstract 
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a broad group of communicable diseases that have proliferated in tropical and subtropical climates, mainly across the developing world, where inadequate sanitation, constant contact with vectors and livestock, and inadequate healthcare services prevail. NTDs are called “neglected” because they have been wiped out of the most developed societies, while they have persisted in the poorest and most marginalized ones. If left untreated, they can cause illness, suffering, impairment, and stigma, preventing children from attending schools and hampering adult productivity. As a result, families, communities, and countries remain trapped in a cycle of disease and poverty.