Take Action: Neglected Tropical Diseases

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of parasitic diseases that cause severe (mental and physical) debilitation but rarely result in death.
NTDs are extremely common in many parts of the developing world.
Proven, cost-effective solutions can treat and prevent NTDs.

Source: GiveWell

Program	Result	Cost	More information
Mass drug administration to control lymphatic filariasis	Program reduces lymphatic filariasis rates	$100 prevents 15-85 total years of lymphedema (swollen limbs) and 25-165 total years of hydrocele (swollen scrotum)	In-depth evidence review
Mass drug administration to control river blindness	Program is effective in suppressing the worms that cause river blindness	$100 prevents 2.5-14 years of blindness; 3.5-20 years of irritating skin disease; and 3-17 years of impaired vision	In-depth evidence review
SAFE Strategy to control trachoma	Surgery reduces the scarring that leads to blindness, and antibiotics reduce infection rates	Surgeries: $100 prevents 1-30 years of blindness and1-30 years of low vision. Other components: highly costly or unknown.	In-depth evidence review
Combination deworming program	Medications are effective at treating schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths	$5 per additional year of school attendance for students	In-depth evidence review

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Source: GiveWell

Drug treatment for neglected tropical diseases can be very effective but must be maintained over the long term to be effective. Donors should ask not only about past projects (and evidence that drugs were distributed appropriately) but about plans and budgets for future activities. They should be seeking to understand what additional activities will be undertaken with additional donations.

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Source: GiveWell

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