The U.S. Government and Global Neglected Tropical Disease Efforts

Key Facts

• Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a set of infectious diseases grouped together due to their often chronic, disfiguring, and stigmatizing impact; their close association with poverty; and their geographic overlap.

• While there are numerous NTDs in the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted over 20 that particularly impact poor, politically marginalized populations; cause significant morbidity and/or mortality; are neglected by research; and can be controlled using effective methods.

• In recent years, the U.S. government (U.S.) has affirmed its support for global NTD goals, including eradicating, eliminating, and controlling several NTDs.

• The U.S. has become more involved in global NTDs since launching its first NTD program in 2006 at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) with a focus on five NTDs that are among the most prevalent NTDs globally but can be controlled and even eliminated with low-cost and effective interventions.

• Total U.S. funding for NTDs increased from $15 million in FY 2006, which was the first year Congress appropriated funds for NTDs, to approximately $115 million in FY 2024.