Neglected tropical diseases

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of tropical infections that are common in low-income populations in developing regions of Africa, Asia and the Americas. They are caused by a variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, parasitic worms (helminths) and mites. The group is characterized by neglect within global health policy, in contrast to the big three infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria), which generally receive greater treatment and research funding. Some treatments are inexpensive; praziquantel for schistosomiasis costs about US $0.20 per child per year, and mass drug administration such as mass deworming has succeeded in several countries. The World Health Organization prioritizes twenty of these diseases, and the diseases were estimated to cause 142,000 deaths in 2013, down from 204,000 in 1990. They affect more than 1.4 billion people in 149 countries.