The Lancet
Jan 02, 2010  Volume 375  Number 9708  Pages 1 – 92
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

Series
Programmes, partnerships, and governance for elimination and control of neglected tropical diseases
Bernhard Liese, Mark Rosenberg, Alexander Schratz

Preview
Neglected tropical diseases represent one of the most serious burdens to public health. Many can be treated cost-effectively, yet they have been largely ignored on the global health policy agenda until recently. In this first paper in the Series we review the fragmented structure of elimination and control programmes for these diseases, starting with the ambiguous definition of a neglected tropical disease. We describe selected international control initiatives and present their effect, governance arrangements, and financing mechanisms, including substantial drug-donation programmes.