The term Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) was coined in the early 2000s, to refer to a varied group of diseases that share two separate backgrounds: a social background (poverty) and a geographical background (tropical countries). Although the term NTD first brings to mind diseases like Malaria, Dengue, and perhaps Yellow Fever, the entire list covers 20 infections and conditions under the label, as included by the WHO. The international agency for global health defines NTD as a diverse group of conditions that are prevalent in tropical areas, mostly affecting impoverished communities and disproportionately affecting women and children.
NTDs are caused by bacterial, parasitic, or viral infections, and they often result in disability, cognitive damage, disfigurement, or death. Though the epidemiology of these diseases is "complex," they tend to thrive in remote parts of the world where access to sanitation, nutrition, and health care is lacking. These diseases have caused devastating health, social and economic consequences to more than 1.7 billion people worldwide. The epidemiology of NTDs is complex and often related to environmental conditions. Many of them are vector-borne, have animal reservoirs and are associated with complex life cycles. All these factors make their public-health control challenging.
NTDs are considered neglected for many reasons, including lack of awareness and their global rejection as important public health matters. "Neglected" is also a word that aptly describes how low-income populations
