Climate change and health

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) impact nearly 1.7 billion people each year, causing serious illness or lifelong disability among many—often leading to stigma and exclusion—and killing an estimated 200,000. The vast majority of sufferers live in the world’s poorest countries.

The World Health Organization’s NTD roadmap 2021-2030 aims to address 20 tropical diseases through prevention, control, elimination, and/or eradication. But despite some progress, reaching all its targets will take better, far more accessible diagnostics and treatments along with more robust strategies, political commitment and resources.

To mark World NTD Day, this collection spotlights work by MSF and collaborators on improving approaches to snakebite envenoming, kala azar and noma. One study presents an innovative artificial intelligence-based snakebite diagnostic tool, while others evaluate shorter, less toxic drug regimens or different models of care. Several commentaries advocate for national/regional strategies adapted to contexts ranging from remote villages to active conflict zones. Another crucial factor is the climate crisis, which is intensifying the transmission and geographic spread of many NTDs.

On June 30th-July 1, 2022 the research team at Epicentre in Mbarara, Uganda held a two-day workshop about their recent work to address gaps in tuberculosis diagnostics and therapeutics in low-income countries. Sessions included:

• Landscape of TB disease in Uganda: research gaps

• New diagnostic tools and algorithms in adults

• New diagnostic tools and algorithms in children

• Approaches to increasing pediatric TB detection and reducing disease burden

• TB chemotherapeutics

• Perspectives and challenges in TB

To catch up on the presentations, you can view the abstracts through the link below.