WORLD NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES DAY
World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day – January 30
World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day, observed on January 30, raises awareness about diseases that disproportionately affect impoverished communities and often receive limited attention and funding. These diseases, including dengue, leprosy, schistosomiasis, and Chagas disease, impact millions worldwide, leading to chronic disability and economic hardship. The day emphasizes the need for increased investment in prevention, treatment, and research, as well as stronger global partnerships to eliminate NTDs. By advocating for health equity and expanded access to care, World NTD Day supports global efforts to improve the lives of vulnerable populations and move closer to disease eradication.
Resources
Act Now. Act Together. Invest in NTD.
According to the World Health Organization, NTDs affect more than 1 billion people globally, leading to catastrophic health, social, and economic consequences. NTDs are mainly found in tropical impoverished communities. About 20 diseases have been labelled as NTDs; these diseases are caused by different pathogens like parasites, bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Some examples are Buruli ulcer, Chagas disease, Dengue, Chikungunya, Dracunculiasis, Leprosy, Human African Trypanosomiasis, and Leishmaniasis.
Unite. Act. Eliminate.
This year, the World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day will have the theme "Unite. Act. Eliminate." – highlighting the need to congregate better awareness of the impact of NTDs in the poorest populations worldwide and adopting measures for further interventions.
A Call to Action for Global Health Equity
World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, marked each year on 30 January, is one of the 13 global public health commemorations recognized by the WHO Member States. It was created in 2020 to raise awareness of these diseases and the actions needed to eradicate them. Currently, the WHO Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) list includes 21 diseases or groups of diseases, including several parasitic, viral, bacterial, and fungal diseases such as Leprosy, Rabies, Trachoma, Guinea worm disease, Buruli ulcer, Dengue, and Chikungunya that affect mainly populations already experiencing health and economic disparities, affecting an estimated of more than 1 billion people worldwide. These diseases are considered neglected because they are largely absent from the global health agenda and receive limited resources from global funding agencies. As these diseases are responsible for devastating health, social, and economic impacts, most of the time, they perpetuate a cycle of poverty, limited professional opportunities, stigma, and social exclusion.