Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) affect more than 1 billion people worldwide, and are rampant within the most destitute areas in the developing world. STH infection, which includes Ascariasis one of the seven most common NTDs, is caused by ingesting eggs from contaminated soil and results in intestinal infection of worms. These infections can be treated through mass distribution of drugs provided by pharmaceutical companies; such interventions can be facilitated through private-public partnerships, and cross-sectoral collaborations. William Lin, Director of Corporate Contributions at Johnson & Johnson recently wrote a blog post about this very subject for InterAction’s blog, “Aid Buzz.” Below is an excerpt from Mr. Lin’s blog post; click here to read the piece in its entirety.

By: William Lin, Director of Corporate Contributions at Johnson & Johnson
Reprinted from InterAction’s Aid Buzz

“Last month in Geneva, leaders from government, business and non-governmental organizations met to continue the development of the strategy to coordinate efforts to combat one of the most prevalent – yet preventable – infectious conditions in the world. Intestinal worms, also known as soil transmitted helminthes or STH, affect nearly one in four people on the planet, and until recently, bringing the condition under control seemed like a daunting task. However, with the recent commitment of medicines from Johnson & Johnson and GSK, reaching the 600 million school-age children that are at risk suddenly became an attainable goal. “