Causes and Impacts of Neglected Tropical and Zoonotic Diseases: Opportunities for Integrated Intervention Strategies

摘要

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have afflicted humanity since time immemorial and in their long histories have acquired notoriety as chronically disabling and deforming diseases. There is no single consensus definition for this group of diseases. Different organizations such as the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to name a few define the suite of these diseases differently. Be that as it may, these diseases, however they are defined, afflict more than 1.4 billion people, many of whom live on less than $1.25 per day. In the past, their serious impact on health and productivity led to considerable knowledge about the diseases, and effective control tools were developed for many. As living conditions improved in many parts of the world, opportunities for transmission were drastically reduced. As a result, these diseases are now rarely seen in populations that enjoy good access to health services and a reasonable standard of living. NTDs today are a symptom of poverty and disadvantage. Those most affected are the poorest populations often living in remote, rural areas, in urban slums, or in conflict zones.