Philip Downs, Andrew Tate, Danny Harvey, Margaret C Baker
{"title":"The changing neglected tropical disease landscape in Africa: implications for policy, practice, and strengthening health systems.","authors":"Philip Downs, Andrew Tate, Danny Harvey, Margaret C Baker","doi":"10.1093/haschl/qxaf136","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Mass drug administration (MDA) has reached up to 1 billion people annually to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This study explores the evolving NTD landscape in Africa amid shifting disease patterns, funding cuts, and universal health coverage goals.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed data from ESPEN and Sightsavers databases to assess historical trends and forecast future treatment needs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>By 2027, few or no MDAs for lymphatic filariasis and trachoma will be required and MDAs for onchocerciasis dropped sharply after 2024. In contrast, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths continue to require widespread MDA.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>To secure elimination gains, remaining MDAs must be completed and broader health systems approaches adopted.</p>","PeriodicalId":94025,"journal":{"name":"Health affairs scholar","volume":"3 7","pages":"qxaf136"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7000,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12311265/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Health affairs scholar","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1093/haschl/qxaf136","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/7/1 0:00:00","PubModel":"eCollection","JCR":"","JCRName":"","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction: Mass drug administration (MDA) has reached up to 1 billion people annually to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This study explores the evolving NTD landscape in Africa amid shifting disease patterns, funding cuts, and universal health coverage goals.
Methods: We analyzed data from ESPEN and Sightsavers databases to assess historical trends and forecast future treatment needs.
Results: By 2027, few or no MDAs for lymphatic filariasis and trachoma will be required and MDAs for onchocerciasis dropped sharply after 2024. In contrast, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths continue to require widespread MDA.
Conclusion: To secure elimination gains, remaining MDAs must be completed and broader health systems approaches adopted.