Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) are a group of infectious diseases that thrive in impoverished and tropical regions, affecting over a billion people worldwide. Despite their devastating impact, NTD —which cause severe illness, disability and disfigurement— receive limited attention and funding, trapping communities in cycles of poverty.
Addressing them requires global commitment, innovation and inclusive healthcare approaches. That is our aim at Fundación Anesvad.
Types and consequences of major NTD
NTD include a wide range of parasitic, bacterial and viral infections. They lead to chronic pain, disability, blindness, disfigurement; even death. The consequences extend beyond health, affecting education, employment, and social integration. Both children and adults suffer them: the first ones often drop out of school; the second may lose livelihoods. Treating and preventing NTD improves not only health outcomes but also human dignity and economic development. These are the main ones:
- Buruli Ulcer
It’s a bacterial infection causing large skin ulcers and tissue damage, often leaving permanent scars. It mostly affects rural African communities living near wetlands. Though rarely fatal, it can cause lifelong disability and stigma. Early detection and antibiotics are essential to prevent severe complications. Community education plays a vital role in control.
- Leprosy
Or Hansen’s disease, is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the skin, nerves and eyes. Without treatment, it can lead to deformity, disability, and social exclusion. Multidrug therapy cures leprosy, but many cases go undiagnosed due to stigma and fear. Ending leprosy requires both medical intervention and public education to combat myths and discrimination.
- Yaws
It’s a bacterial disease that primarily affects children, causing skin sores and bone deformities when untreated. It spreads through direct skin contact and thrives in warm, humid regions. With a single dose of antibiotics, yaws can be cured, making eradication a real possibility. Mass drug administration campaigns are key to breaking transmission cycles.
- Lymphatic Filariasis
Also called elephantiasis, it’s a parasitic infection spread by mosquitoes, leading to severe swelling of the limbs and genitals. It causes disability, pain and stigma, particularly in poor rural areas. Preventive chemotherapy and mosquito control are key to fight the disease. Community care programs also help reduce the suffering of those already affected.
- Dracunculosis
Or Guinea worm disease, it’s a parasitic infection that causes intense pain as the adult worm emerges from the skin. There is no vaccine or drug cure for it, but prevention is quite simple: access to safe drinking water. Global eradication efforts have reduced cases from millions to just a handful each year—a remarkable public health success.
- Leishmaniasis
It’s a parasitic disease transmitted by sandflies, causing skin ulcers or deadly visceral infections. It disproportionately affects the poor and malnourished, especially in rural areas. Treatment is often toxic, expensive and hard to access. Integrated control strategies, including vector control and improved access to care, are essential to reduce its burden.
- Mycetoma, Chromoblastomycosis, and other deep mycoses
These chronic fungal infections often affect the feet and legs, causing progressive swelling, tissue damage and disability. They are common among agricultural workers in tropical regions and often go untreated for years. Lack of awareness, poor diagnostics and limited treatment options make them challenging to control. Research into better therapies is urgently needed.
- Onchocerciasis
Also known as river blindness, it’s a parasitic disease transmitted by blackflies near rivers. It causes intense itching, skin damage and blindness. Mass drug administration campaigns using ivermectin have drastically reduced transmission in many countries. Community-driven efforts are central to reaching elimination goals.
- Scabies and other ectoparasites
Scabies is a skin infestation caused by mites, leading to severe itching, rashes and skin infections. It spreads easily in crowded living conditions, especially among children. Though easily treatable, reinfection is common in poor communities. Control programs must include both medical treatment and improved living conditions.
- Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection caused by worms that live in freshwater snails, affecting the urinary and intestinal systems. It can cause anemia, organ damage and poor cognitive development in children. Treatment with praziquantel is effective, but prevention requires improving water and sanitation. Education about safe water use is crucial.
Epidemiology, risk factors and vulnerable populations
NTD mainly affect people living in poverty, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions with poor sanitation. Environmental factors, such as exposure to contaminated water or insect vectors, increase the risk for those especially vulneable: children, women and rural populations. Agricultural workers and displaced populations are also particularly vulnerable. Understanding where and why NTD occur helps guide effective interventions. Addressing poverty, improving health infrastructure and targeting at-risk groups are key strategies in reducing disease burden. That’s why working in the ground —as we do in Fundación Anesvad— is a crucial factor.
Coinfection with other diseases
Many individuals affected by NTD also face coinfections with diseases like malaria, HIV or tuberculosis. These overlapping infections complicate treatment, increase morbidity and strain health systems. Integrated health approaches that address multiple diseases simultaneously are crucial to improving outcomes in these populations.
WHO, public-private partnerships and other global initiatives
The World Health Organization (WHO) leads international efforts against NTD, providing technical guidance, setting targets and coordinating mass treatment campaigns. By working with national health programs and global partners, this organisation helps scale up interventions and monitor progress. Their leadership has been pivotal in driving down disease prevalence worldwide.
But they are not alone. The global response to NTD has gained momentum in recent years, with partnerships between governments, NGOs, pharmaceutical companies and donors. Initiatives like mass drug administration, vector control and improved sanitation have already achieved remarkable successes. Continued investment and innovation are critical to sustaining progress. We at Fundación Anesvad are part of this global efforts.
Public-private partnerships have been instrumental in the fight against NTD. Pharmaceutical companies donate essential medicines, while governments and NGOs provide logistics, implementation and education. These collaborations accelerate progress, reach vulnerable populations and ensure sustainability. Together, they demonstrate the power of shared responsibility to rekove the profound social and economic harm that NTD causes.
Affected Communities: stigma, discrimination and economic burden
Affected individuals often lose work opportunities, face discrimination and experience reduced quality of life. Children may miss school and caregivers are burdened. That’s how many NTD carry a heavy stigma, leading to social isolation, shame and discrimination. This prevents people from seeking care and fuels cycles of poverty and disease. Stima is the word, and addressing it requires community education, advocacy and inclusive health programs that restore dignity and foster acceptance.
The economic burden of NTD extends beyond healthcare costs—it includes lost income, reduced
productivity, and long-term disability. Families often face catastrophic expenses, pushing them deeper into poverty. Investing in prevention and treatment is both a moral imperative and a smart economic strategy.
Future directions for research and development
Future progress against NTD depends on developing better diagnostics, affordable treatments, and effective vaccines. Research also needs to address drug resistance and climate change impacts. We strongly believe that expanding collaboration between researchers, policymakers and affected communities will drive innovation and improve lives across the world. Do you want to join us on the effort?
