Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of 20 diseases that affect over 1.7 billion people globally. These diseases are considered “neglected” because they disproportionately affect people living in poverty, and until recently, were largely overlooked by the international community. Over the past several years, there have been major advances in the areas of advocacy, control implementation funding, cross-sectoral collaboration and drug donation for NTDs. Many new tools are available for NTD diagnosis and the goals of control, elimination and eradication are becoming more feasible. In order to ensure the most effective and efficient use of resources to tackle NTDs, evidence-based research (performed in conjunction with country-based control implementation programmes) must constantly be taking place to evaluate NTD strategies.
The London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR) was launched in 2013 with the aim of providing focused operational and research support for NTDs. LCNTDR, a joint initiative of the Natural History Museum, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the Royal Veterinary College, the Partnership for Child Development, the SCI Foundation (formerly known as the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative) and Imperial College London, undertakes interdisciplinary research to build the evidence base around the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of NTD programmes.
This series features recent advances in scientific research for NTDs executed by LCNTDR member institutions and their collaborators. It aims to highlight the wide range of work being undertaken by the LCNTDR towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals well as supporting the objectives of the World Health Organization road map for neglected tropical disease 2021-2030.
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