Presentation

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of 20 conditions that occur primarily in tropical areas, where they affect poor communities and disproportionately affect women and children. These diseases have devastating health, social and economic consequences for more than a billion people.

The epidemiology of NTDs is complex and often linked to environmental conditions. Many are vector-borne, have animal reservoirs and are associated with complex life cycles. All these factors make it difficult to control them through public health.

The One Health approach seems very well suited to the fight against NTDs as it aims to improve health outcomes by recognising the links between the health of people, animals and their environment.

On 22 January 2022, the WHO published a guidance document to facilitate the implementation of a One Health approach to NTDs. This guide is in line with the concerns of local actors who have started to implement concrete actions.

The objective of this session is to show the relevance of the One Health approach in the fight against NTDs.