Over a billion people around the world suffer debilitating effects from a group of around twenty infectious diseases—yet, no one seems to care. Despite causing lifelong disability to some of society’s most vulnerable, many people haven’t even heard of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), including leprosy, dengue, leishmaniasis, trachoma, and lymphatic filariasis. This lack of focus—in the arenas of both funding and politics—only worsens the destruction these diseases have wrought, making treatment inaccessible to those who need it most.
NTDs themselves are classified as a varied group of diseases caused by a slew of pathogens, from bacteria and viruses to fungi and parasites. They primarily affect impoverished communities in tropical areas, especially in certain regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. On their own, they’re already devastating, spreading through means that are difficult to contain—particularly through animals such as mosquitoes. Those suffering from these conditions are often left with disfigurement or disabilities that include blindness and developmental or cognitive issues. These are often paired with stigmas that leave the victims of NTDs with social isolation or difficulty finding employment.
But what makes NTDs “neglected,” exactly? One reason is that the demographics they primarily impact. Due to issues such as poor sanitation, low water quality, and lack of healthcare access, NTDs most often strike in impoverished, marginalized communities, which don’t have the advantage of strong political influence. This lack of voice means these communities are frequently shoved to the bottom of the list in terms of health policy priorities, rendering them effectively invisible in the political arena.
In turn, a vicious cycle is created: communities that are already marginalized cannot gain the recognition and funding they need to prevent NTDs. They then begin to suffer from NTDs and are pushed even further to the sidelines due to the stigmatization that comes with the symptoms of these diseases. Vulnerable communities continue to be impacted by NTDs, and it becomes difficult to break the cycle.
As such, it is crucial that NTDs are given more attention in politics and funding. It falls on the shoulders of those who have perpetuated the practice of marginalizing the world’s most impoverished communities to finally break the cycle, bringing the spotlight to those their predecessors ignored. Individuals can do their part by supporting policies that fund clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as efforts to control insects and parasites that spread these diseases. Donating, volunteering, or supporting research in any way is a crucial first step in ensuring the plight of those affected by NTDs is no longer neglected as it once was.
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