It is a real pleasure to be able to guest blog on this site. As I have previously mentioned over at my blog, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) cause huge global morbidity (1 in 6 people in the world are estimated to be infected with an NTD). Unfortunately, general awareness of the impact of these diseases is not high. Organizations such as the END7 Campaign represent dynamic, creative approaches to both raising general awareness about the impact of NTDs and decreasing the burden of these infections in at risk populations.

I am a member of a volunteer group of physicians and other health professionals who provide public health and medical support to a geographically isolated group of approximately 2,000 people in northern Honduras (more about our program can be found here). NTDs, primarily soil-transmitted helminths (intestinal worms) are a major issue for the people we serve; we estimate that 30-70% of this population is currently infected.

Although intestinal worms are not associated with high mortality, they are a major source of morbidity (poor childhood development, pregnancy complications, et cetera).

We work in and around the remote, mountainous village of La Hicaca in the Yoro area of northern Honduras. A major focus of our work is on collaborative public health interventions such as a clean water project utilizing locally produced water filters. We also provide anti-helminthic therapy according to WHO guidelines, with the hopes of decreasing the overall burden of these infections in this region. According to the WHO, “deworming school-aged children is probably the most economically efficient public health activity that can be implemented in any low-income country.”

Through efforts such as the END7 Campaign awareness about NTDs is increasing. A review of the recently released Global Burden of Disease data reveals that we have made progress in combatting NTDs over the past twenty years. It is clear, however, that there is much more work to be done. If the global community comes together to combat NTDs perhaps we will see that many of these diseases have been eliminated in the 2030 Global Burden of Disease report. This is certainly a worthy, and potentially obtainable, goal.

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About The Author

 

Michael Stevens, MD, MPH
Michael Stevens is an infectious disease physician in Richmond, Virginia. He runs a travel and tropical medicine clinic, directs a training program in global health for medicine residents and is part of a team that provides public health and medical services to patients in rural Honduras. He is interested in global health, health disparities, and global health education.