Working to overcome the global impact of neglected tropical diseases: first WHO report on neglected tropical diseases : update 2011

Overview

One year on and accelerating work to overcome neglected tropical diseases

It is a year to the day since the World Health Organization (WHO) published its first report on neglected tropical diseases. Almost always out of sight and rarely in news headlines, neglected tropical diseases are found exclusively among poor populations in deprived rural communities. They cause misery and disability, sometimes life-long, to hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

Working to overcome the global impact of neglected tropical diseases, launched by WHO on 14 October 2010, provides evidence that existing safe, simple and effective interventions, implemented during the past seven years, are improving the health and quality of life of populations in 149 countries where many of the 17 diseases1 occur. Approximately 90% of their burden can be treated with medicines administered only once or twice a year.

Evidence also demonstrates that control of neglected tropical diseases significantly reduces illness, social exclusion and mortality. Furthermore, prevention and control directly contributes to improved economic productivity and the achievement of several of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

In her address during the launch of the report, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan spoke of current “breakthrough” strategies to reduce the burden of these diseases. Accelerated efforts are needed to break the cycle of infection and disability, which mire people in poverty. Dr Chan challenged the international community to show greater resolve in control of these diseases, and to produce “results”.