Frank Underwood Explains Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)

Global health. D.C. perspective

1.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of parasitic and bacterial diseases that affect the world’s poorest people. Without treatment, they can lead to lifelong disabilities and suffering. But NTD treatment programs struggle to find funding.

2.

The seven most common NTDs infect over one billion people, including half a billion kids, but it costs just 50 cents to treat and protect one person from seven NTDs for a whole year.

3.

The United States government—through the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) NTD Program - is a leader in the effort to control and eliminate NTDs worldwide.

4.

Since the USAID NTD Program was launched in 2006, more than 1 billion NTD treatments have been delivered to 460 million people across 25 countries.

5.

Every $1 invested in the program has leveraged $26 in drug donations from pharmaceutical companies - a best buy in global health!

6.

The program’s budget is less than 1% of total U.S. spending on global health. But President Obama has recommended a $13.5 million cut to the program next year.

7.

END7 student supporters spent the spring semester urging Congress to protect and increase funding for NTD treatment. But the fight is not over. Send a message to your Senator at www.end7.org/senate-action and send a tweet to show your support for the #NTDBudget!

Democracy is not overrated! Join the END7 campaign to help NTDs. Advocate, fundraise, and spread the word to be part of the solution!

END7 is an international advocacy campaign run by the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, an initiative of the Sabin Vaccine Institute. END7 is working to raise the awareness and funding necessary to control and eliminate the seven most common neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) by 2020.