Results & Impact

PROBLEM

More than 1.6 billion people are at risk of painful, disabling Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Many people living with NTDs are stigmatized, are absent from or cannot participate fully in school, or are unable to find work putting them at greater risk of poverty.

SOLUTION

USAID is working to address five of the most burdensome NTDs that are preventable and treatable with safe, effective medicines.

Targeted Diseases

Lymphatic Filariasis

(Elephantiasis)

Trachoma

River Blindness

(Onchocerciasis)

Schistosomiasis

Intestinal Worms

(Soil-Transmitted Helminths)

GOAL

USAID works alongside countries to achieve the elimination of lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, and onchocerciasis in supported countries.

Since 2006, 13-USAID supported countries have eliminated at least one NTD—and more disease eliminations are fast approaching.

Where We Work

0 Countries
Within 5 years, USAID’s goal is for more than 15 countries to eliminate one of these three NTDs:
0 Countries
To eliminate lymphatic filariasis
0 Countries
To eliminate blinding trachoma
0 Countries
To eliminate river blindness

USAID also works with 11 countries for treatment of intestinal worms and 10 countries for treatment of schistosomiasis.

ACTION

Since 2006, USAID has worked alongside more than 30 countries to fight these diseases and strengthen health systems to respond to them long-term.

What We Do

USAID has four key objectives

Controlling & eliminating diseases

Strengthening the scientific & program evidence

Supporting sustainable country-led programs

Strengthening & expanding partnerships

RESULTS

Considered a “best buy” in global health, U.S. investments to end NTDs are highly effective. The results below were supported by USAID.

See detailed charts featuring annual results, drug donations, and investments.

* Results cumulative from 2006-2023 unless otherwise noted.

0 Countries
have eliminated at least one NTD as a public health problem as of October 2024 (some have eliminated multiple NTDs)
0 Countries
have eliminated lymphatic filariasis
0 Countries
have eliminated river blindness
0 Countries
have eliminated trachoma
0 Billion
treatments delivered
0 Billion
individuals treated
0 Billion
leveraged in donated drugs
0 Countries
have validated a national NTD sustainability plan
0 Countries
are making progress to control schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths
0 Million
people no longer require treatment for lymphatic filariasis
0 Million
people no longer require treatment for trachoma
0 Million
people no longer require treatment for river blindness

IMPACT

USAID partners with countries and communities to control and eliminate NTDs.

News & Stories

Health is his calling.

Achar is on a mission to reach people at-risk of one of the world’s most disabling diseases. See how Uganda is defeating this ancient disease.

Stopping the spread.

Mabinty lives with the life-altering effects of an NTD. The children in her community won’t have to. Learn how health workers in Sierra Leone deliver safe, effective treatments.

Planes, trains, & automobiles.

Mawo and others go the distance to fight the leading infectious cause of blindness. Read about how Mozambique is making sure no one is left behind.

Power to prevention.

Tati tells everyone who will listen… “take your medicine!”  See how Indonesia is building a healthier future for generations of Indonesians to come.

Homegrown science.

Pelagie is a motivated public health worker and scientist from Benin passionate about ending NTDs. See how a modest investment made a difference.

Photo Credits:

USAID/Aryc Mosher; RTI International/Damien Schumann;
RTI International/Nabin Baral;
Yaobi Zhang, Helen Keller International;
RTI International/Nguyen Minh Duc;
RTI International/Conrad Roy;
Ruth Fertig, Helen Keller International; Mawo Fall;
RTI International/ Muhammad Fadli; Pelagie Boko-Collins