Global Report On Neglected Tropical Diseases 2023

The Global report on neglected tropical diseases 2023 provides a consolidated, up-to-date assessment of progress towards control, elimination and eradication of 20 diseases and disease groups (NTDs) globally, regionally and nationally. Progress is reported in the context of global commitments, strategies and targets set in the NTD road map 2021-2030. The document covers the first two years of implementation of the road map (2021 and 2022). The information presented is based primarily on epidemiological and programmatic data for interventions conducted in 2021 and gathered in 2022, but the report also describes a wide range of activities and accomplishments that were registered in both 2021 and 2022; comparisons are often made against 2020 and 2019 data, especially with regard to COVID-19 disruptions. It has four sections: Section 1 is an introduction. Section 2 presents the status of the global NTD response. Section 3 charts progress and developments against the three road map pillars. Section 4 sets out priority actions for 2023 and beyond to sustain implementation of the road map and its companion documents. Five annexes to the report provide information for 2021–2022 on regional progress (Annex 1), Weekly Epidemiology Record articles on NTDs (Annex 2), progress and challenges by disease (Annex 3), diagnostic target product profiles (Annex 4) and the status of commitments for donated medicines and health products (Annex 5).

"Produced under the overall direction and supervision of Dr. Lorenzo Savioli (Director) and Dr. Denis Daumerie (Programme Manager), WHO Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases"--Back of title page.

Priority-setting is the first step to enable a targeted approach to research and development. Developing a prioritized drug portfolio of the most needed formulations for children is essential to streamline researchers’ and supplier’s efforts and resources around specific dosage forms and formulations that address most urgent needs for children. In general, due to limited financial incentives, few new drugs are being developed for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Several NTDs disproportionately affect children compared to adults and, as is the case like for most diseases affecting adults and children, the burden to children is compounded by lack of inclusion of paediatric populations in clinical trials and/or lack of age-appropriate dosing regimens and formulations. The PADO-NTD exercise concluded with a final meeting organized in September 2023 with representatives from the four prioritized disease areas to reach consensus on a final PADO-NTD priority list, watch list and research questions and discuss transversal issues for the way forward. The meeting report will include summaries of the background, discussions and deliberations of all PADO exercises, and final conclusions and outputs of the overall PADO for NTD exercises.

"Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) blight the lives of a billion people worldwide and threaten the health of millions more. These ancient companions of poverty weaken impoverished populations, frustrate the achievement of health in the Millennium Development Goals and impede global health and economies has convinced governments, donors, the pharmaceutical industry and other agencies, including nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), to invest in preventing and controlling this diverse group of diseases. Global efforts to control "hidden" diseases, such as dracunculiasis (guinea-worm disease), leprosy, gains including the imminent eradication of dracunculiasis. Since 1989 (when most endemic countries began reporting monthly from each endemic village), the number of new dracunculiasis cases has fallen from 892 055 in 12 endemic countries to 3190 in 4 countries in 2009, a decrease of more than 99%. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends five public-health strategies for the prevention and control of NTDs: preventive chemotherapy; intensified case-management; vector control; the provision of safe water, sanitation and hygiene; and veterinary public health (that is, applying veterinary sciences to ensure the health and well-being of humans). Although one approach and delivered locally." - p. vii

Infectious diseases remain key agents of the debilitating poverty afflicting so much of the world today. Each year these diseases kill almost 9 million people, many of them children under five, and they also cause enormous burdens through life-long disability. Stepping up research into their causes and how to effectively treat them and prevent them from spreading could have an enormous impact on efforts to lift people out of poverty and to build a better world for future generations. The Global Report for Research on Infectious Diseases of Poverty is an independent publication comprising different viewpoints written by expert authors in each chapter. It was initiated and facilitated by TDR, the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, supported by the European Commission, and based on wide contributions from stakeholders at various stages of the work. It offers new ways of improving public health in low and middle income countries, with research as the compelling foundation and driver for policies. The first chapter sets the context and outlines ten areas where research on infectious diseases of poverty can make major improvements; these form the framework for the rest of the report. The next three chapters take these ten areas forward by focusing on specific themes: the environment, health systems, and innovation and technology. A fifth chapter discusses the research funding landscape while the final chapter considers the issues and evidence presented in the rest of the report to propose high level actions, including the best research strategies against infectious diseases of poverty. Implementation of the actions proposed in this report should help improve current research prioritization processes, guide investment strategies and enhance commitment to using research to promote global health equity. If, like the Millennium Development Goals, these options for action are focused on by policy-makers, funders and researchers, they should lead to well-planned, effective, and powerful health interventions and have a real chance of saving millions of lives in years to come.

Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death globally, particularly among children and young adults. The spread of new pathogens and the threat of antimicrobial resistance pose particular challenges in combating these diseases. Major Infectious Diseases identifies feasible, cost-effective packages of interventions and strategies across delivery platforms to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, malaria, adult febrile illness, viral hepatitis, and neglected tropical diseases. The volume emphasizes the need to effectively address emerging antimicrobial resistance, strengthen health systems, and increase access to care. The attainable goals are to reduce incidence, develop innovative approaches, and optimize existing tools in resource-constrained settings.