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The Neglected Diseases are a group of 13 tropical infections which are especially endemic in low-income populations in developing regions of sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Together, they cause an estimated 500,000 to 1 million deaths annually and cause a global disease burden equivalent to that of HIV-AIDS. These diseases are contrasted with the big three diseases (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria) which receive much more media attention and research funding.

Most of these diseases have known preventive measures or acute medical treatments which are available in the developed world but which are not universally available in poorer areas. In some cases, the treatments are relatively inexpensive. For example, the treatment for schistosomiasis is USD $0.20 per child per year.^[1]

A child from Panama suffering from Chagas disease. It has manifested as an acute infection with swelling of the right eye (chagoma).

Leprosy, tuberculosis, cholera and yellow fever are not exclusively tropical diseases (they have occurred everywhere), but their highest incidence is in the tropics.

• Kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis, a severe form of leishmaniasis) - Antibiotic treatments exist, vaccine under development as of 2006
• African Sleeping Sickness (African trypanosomiasis) - Antibiotic treatments exist, prevention involves mosquito control
• Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) - Vaccine exists but is uneconomical, antibiotic treatment for early infection exists, prevention involves mosquito control

• Schistosomiasis - Antihelminthic treatments exist, vaccine under development as of 2007
• Lymphatic Filariasis (causes elephantiasis) - Possible antihelminthic treatments under investigation
• Onchocerciasis (river blindness) - Antihelminthic treatment exists, prevention involves insect control
• Drancunculiasis (guinea worm) - Eradication goal is 2009, as of 2007

Soil-transmitted helminthiases:

• Ascariasis (roundworm) - Antihelminthic treatments exist, prevention involves food and sewage sanitation
• Trichuriasis (whipworm) - Antihelminthic treatments exist, prevention involves food and sewage sanitation
• Hookworm - Antihelminthic treatments exist, prevention involves food and sewage sanitation

• Leprosy - Antibiotic treatments exist
• Buruli ulcer - Surgical and antibiotic interventions are recommended
• Trachoma - Antibiotic treatments exist, prevention involves interpersonal hygiene
• Cholera - Antibiotic treatments exist, prevention involves clean drinking water

• Yellow fever - Vaccine exists

• Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative
• Orphan diseases, illnesses on which pharmaceutical companies tend to do little research
• Tropical Disease Initiative [1]
• Neglected Tropical Diseases WHO [2]

• Taking on The Neglected Diseases, WorldChanging
• Nigeria's Neglected Disesaes, National Public Radio, 3-part series. March 12-13, 2007.