Abstract
In Latin America and the Caribbean, around 195 million people live in poverty, a situation that increases the burden of some infectious diseases. Neglected diseases, in particular, are often restricted to poor, marginalized sections of the population. Tools exist to combat these diseases, making it imperative to work towards their elimination. In 2009, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) received a mandate to support the countries in the Region in eliminating neglected diseases and other poverty-related infections. The objective of this study is to analyze the presence of selected diseases using geo-processing techniques. Five diseases with information available at the first sub-national level (states) were mapped, showing the presence of the disease (“hotspots”) and overlap of diseases (“major hotspots”). In the 45 countries/territories (approximately 570 states) of the Region, there is: lymphatic filariasis in four countries (29 states), onchocerciasis in six countries (25 states), schistosomiasis in four countries (39 states), trachoma in three countries (29 states), and human rabies transmitted by dogs in ten countries (20 states). Of the 108 states with one or more of the selected diseases, 36 states present the diseases in overlapping areas (“major hotspots”). Additional information about soil-transmitted helminths was included. The analysis suggests a majority of the selected diseases are not widespread and can be considered part of an unfinished agenda with elimination as a goal. Integrated plans and a comprehensive approach, ensuring access to existing diagnostic and treatment methods, and establishing a multi-sectoral agenda that addresses social determinants, including access to adequate water and sanitation, are required. Future studies can include additional diseases, socio-economic and environmental variables.
Highlights
Of the 580 million people who live in Latin America and the Caribbean, around 195 million live in poverty, and 71 million live in extreme poverty [1]
In 2009, the Pan American Health Organization received a mandate to support the countries in the Region in eliminating neglected diseases and other poverty-related infections
Five diseases were mapped by state, showing the presence of the disease (‘‘hotspots’’) and overlap of diseases (‘‘major hotspots’’)
Summary
Of the 580 million people who live in Latin America and the Caribbean, around 195 million live in poverty (defined as earning less than two dollars a day), and 71 million live in extreme poverty (defined as earning less than one dollar per day) [1]. The higher burden of parasitic and other diseases could be related to insufficient access to drinking water, sanitation, inadequate housing, education, and health services [3,4]. Most of these diseases cause chronic conditions that can reduce learning capabilities, productivity, and income earning capacity. These neglected diseases are both a cause and a consequence of poverty [5]. Some of the diseases listed as potential targets for elimination are included in World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2008–2015 Global Plan to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases such as onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis [2]
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