Neglected tropical diseases

BibliographyFurther reading

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a collection of diseases which are prevalent in developing countries. The diseases included by the term varies, but the World Health Organization recognizes 19 diseases, including viral, bacterial and parasitic worm infections (such as soil transmitted helminthiasis). These diseases are contrasted with the big three infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis), which are generally less neglected. NTDs affect more than 1 billion people worldwide (World Health Organization 2012).worldwide.[1]

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    World Health Organization (2012) Neglected tropical diseases, World Health Organization, January 17.
    Description of NTDs, with a list of which diseases are included.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a collection of diseases which are prevalent in developing countries. The diseases included by the term varies, but the World Health Organization recognizes 19 diseases, including viral, bacterial and parasitic worm infections (such as soil transmitted helminthiasis). These diseases are contrasted with the big three infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis), which are generally less neglected. NTDs affect more than 1 billion people worldwide (World Health Organization 2012).

Giving What We Can (2015) Medical research, Giving What We Can, September 21 (updated 25 AprApril 2018).
An investigation into the effectiveness of medical research into neglected tropical diseases.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)(NTDs) are a collection of diseases which are prevalent in developing countries. The diseases included by the term varies, but the World Health Organization recognizes 19 diseases, including viral, bacterial and parasitic worm infections (such as soil transmitted helminthiasis). NTDs affect more than 1 billion people worldwide (World Health Organization 2012).

Neglected Tropical Diseasestropical diseases (NTDs) are a collection of diseases which are prevalent in developing countries. The diseases included by the term varies, but the World Health Organization recognizes 19 diseases, including viral, bacterial and parasitic worm infections (such as soil transmitted helminthiasis). NTDs affect more than 1 billion people worldwide (World Health Organization 2012).

For some NTDs, we havethere are treatments but no vaccines: for example, praziquantel is an effective treatment for schistosomiasis. For other NTDs, such as dengue, we havethere are neither treatments nor vaccines.

Since there has been little assessment of this area, current cost-effectiveness estimates are very speculative. However, they indicate that research into NTDs may be several times more effective than other global health interventions. That said, it is difficult to assess which research programs are most effective without a detailed knowledge of the particularities of the research.

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a collection of diseases which are prevalent in developing countries. The diseases included by the term varies, but the World Health Organization recognizes 19 diseases, including viral, bacterial and parasitic worm infections (such as soil transmitted helminthiasis). NTDs affect more than 1 billion people worldwide (World Health Organization 2016)2012).

Further readingBibliography

Giving What We Can. 2015.Can (2015) Medical research.research, Giving What We Can, September 21 (updated 25 Apr 2018).
An investigation into the effectiveness of medical research into neglected tropical diseases.

Karnofsky, Holden. 2015.Holden (2015) Investigating neglected goals in scientific research.research, Open Philanthropy, March 26.
A discussion by the Open Philanthropy Project on tropical diseases as a neglected research area.

World Health Organisation. 2016.Organization (2012) Neglected tropical diseases.diseases, World Health Organization, January 17.
Description of NTDs, with a list of which diseases are included.

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a collection of diseases which are prevalent in developing countries. The diseases included by the term varies, but the World Health Organization recognizes 19 diseases, including viral, bacterial and parasitic worm infections (such as soil transmitted helminthiasis). NTDs affect more than 1 billion people worldwide (World Health Organization 2016).

For some NTDs, we have treatments but no vaccines: for example, praziquantel is an effective treatment for schistosomiasis. For other NTDs, such as dengue, we have neither treatments nor vaccines.

Since there has been little assessment of this area, current cost-effectiveness estimates are very speculative. However, they indicate that research into NTDs may be several times more effective than other global health interventions. That said, it is difficult to assess which research programs are most effective without a detailed knowledge of the particularities of the research.

Further reading

Giving What We Can. 2015. Medical research.
An investigation into the effectiveness of medical research into neglected tropical diseases.

Karnofsky, Holden. 2015. Investigating neglected goals in scientific research.
A discussion by the Open Philanthropy Project on tropical diseases as a neglected research area.

World Health Organisation. 2016. Neglected tropical diseases.
Description of NTDs, with a list of which diseases are included.

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