"Working to overcome the global impact of neglected tropical diseases was produced under the overall direction and supervision of Dr Lorenzo Savioli (Director, WHO Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases) and Dr Denis Daumerie (Programme Manager, WHO Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases), with contributions from staff serving in the department. The report was edited by Professor David W.T. Crompton, assisted by Mrs Patricia Peters."--T.p. verso.

Includes bibliographical references.

Executive summary -- -- PART 1 -- 1. Neglected tropical diseases: a paradigm shift -- 2. Sixty years of growing concern -- 3. Human and economic burden -- 4. Ways forward -- -- PART 2 -- 5. Neglected tropical diseases in the world today -- 6. Global and regional plans for prevention and control -- 7. Conclusions -- -- Annex 1. Resolutions of the World Health Assembly on neglected tropical diseases -- Annex Official list of indicators for monitoring progress on the Millennium Development Goals -- Annex 3. Summary of metadata -- Annex 4. Methods used to prepare maps and charts

"Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) blight the lives of a billion people worldwide and threaten the health of millions more. These ancient companions of poverty weaken impoverished populations, frustrate the achievement of health in the Millennium Development Goals and impede global health and economies has convinced governments, donors, the pharmaceutical industry and other agencies, including nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), to invest in preventing and controlling this diverse group of diseases. Global efforts to control "hidden" diseases, such as dracunculiasis (guinea-worm disease), leprosy, gains including the imminent eradication of dracunculiasis. Since 1989 (when most endemic countries began reporting monthly from each endemic village), the number of new dracunculiasis cases has fallen from 892 055 in 12 endemic countries to 3190 in 4 countries in 2009, a decrease of more than 99%. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends five public-health strategies for the prevention and control of NTDs: preventive chemotherapy; intensified case-management; vector control; the provision of safe water, sanitation and hygiene; and veterinary public health (that is, applying veterinary sciences to ensure the health and well-being of humans). Although one approach and delivered locally." - p. vii

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