Neglected tropical diseases

An excellent and relatively brief factsheet from the World Health Organization highlights the reality that one billion people, most poor and marginalised in rural parts of low income countries, are living with and dying too early from diseases such as buruli ulcers, chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis), dengue fever, dracunculiasis (guinea-worm disease), leishmaniasis, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis (river blindness), schistosomiasis (bilharzia), trachoma and yaws.

To my shame I have not even heard of many of these diseases, have heard of some but really know nothing much about them, and can comment in a knowledgable way about only two. I guess that underpins how neglected these debilitating conditions are.

WHO notes that key challenges to addressing the incidence and impact of these diseases include:

• Limited visibility since the diseases are tied to specific geographical and environmental conditions and do not spread easily to industrialized countries;
• Not on the radar screen of most decision makers, mainstream research and funding agencies;
  
• Little market incentive to develop medicinesand vaccines as mainly poor people areaffected.
  

The authors note that "children and women are disproportionately affected by some neglected tropical diseases and may face additional barriers to seeking and receiving treatment. Women also tend to suffer more severely from social stigma. Dissemination of information is necessary for awareness-raising, and for impeding stigmatization, which is both a cause and consequence
of neglected tropical diseases."

I thought the 'cause and consequence' phrase was interesting. Stigma is so pervasive.

And as we in the 'West' manage to find billions and billions of dollars to bail out imprudent financiers and to deploy ineffective but highly visible thermal imaging devices in our airports - what proportion diverted to sanitation and safe drinking water, housing and education, information and community development would be needed to eliminate these conditions and to adequately provide for those already affected.

As Pete commented I need to start in my own backyard with this. And to advocate for those whose voices are seldom heard when the money is distributed.