Twice neglected? Neglected diseases in neglected populations

Abstract

It is unfortunately true that clinicians lack the necessary evidence to know how to use medications properly in large sections of the population and do not have optimal treatments to use for many neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). NTDs often disproportionately affect neglected populations that are left out of research efforts, such as children and pregnant women. As reliable access to safe, effective preventives and treatments can break the cycle of poverty, illness, and ensuing debility that further perpetuates poverty, it is of paramount importance to investigate and develop new medicines for neglected populations suffering from NTDs. Furthermore, there is not only a need to develop and evaluate novel therapies, but also to ensure that these are affordable, available, and adapted to the communities who need them. The NIH has proposed a "4 C's" framework which is relevant for neglected diseases and populations and should be leveraged for the study of the Twice Neglected: Consider inclusion; Collect data from neglected populations with neglected conditions; Characterize differences through meaningful analysis; Communicate findings pertaining to neglected diseases and populations. With this editorial, the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology hereby launches a call for high-quality articles focusing on NTDs in special populations, to facilitate and encourage the reversal of this dual neglect.

Impacto da COVID-19 no registro de casos de leishmaniose tegumentar no Maranhão, Brasil

“…Tropical vector-borne diseases, such as TL, tend to afflict certain groups in situations of social vulnerability, that is, more susceptible to poverty. 21 COVID-19 unevenly affects poorer men and women, increasing existing inequalities. 22 Maranhão is considered the poorest state in Brazil.…”

Systematic Review of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Dairy Farmers and Consumers Towards Bovine Tuberculosis in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

“…Cattle are the primary reservoir of M. bovis and the most significant source of human bTB through consumption of unpasteurised milk, dairy products, raw meat, and inhalation of aerosols (4, 5). While the adverse public health effects of bTB in high-income nations have been mitigated through surveillance, prevention and control (6), bTB remains a global neglected zoonosis that receives insufficient research, policy and public health attention in relation to its health and economic impacts, especially in low- and middle-income settings (7).…”

Investigation of the Potential Targets behind the Promising and Highly Selective Antileishmanial Action of Synthetic Flavonoid Derivatives

“…It is well known that leishmaniases and social vulnerability are closely related, since it is often accompanied by malnutrition, a weak immune system, lack of resources, precarious housing, and difficulties in getting treatment. , Meanwhile, current antileishmanial drugs are old and highly toxic, and safer presentations are unaffordable to the most severely affected human populations . These aspects demonstrated that the high prevalence of this NTD is still closely associated with neglected communities . Therefore, there is an urgent need for the discovery and development of new efficient pharmacological entities that are more accessible and designed for both the disease and the patient’s needs.…”