The Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, an initiative of the Sabin Vaccine Institute, launched the END7 Campaign, “dedicated to eliminating seven major neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) as a public health threat to poor communities by the end of 2020.” The campaign noted that NTDs infect one in six people worldwide, including 500 million children, carry a higher health burden than malaria and tuberculosis, and that treatment for NTDs is one of the most cost-effective health programs available today. Pills to treat the seven leading NTDs are donated by pharmaceutical companies and many programs use existing infrastructure, such as schools and community centers, to administer the treatments. The END7 campaign “raises the public awareness and funding required to cover the costs of distributing medicine and setting up treatment programs in impoverished communities.” The annual cost works out to approximately 50 cents to treat and protect one person for a whole year against all seven diseases. The announcement said that the UK and U.S. governments, as well as major pharmaceutical companies, have already made significant contributions. END7 works with global partners such as the World Health Organization and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The campaign will be managed through a Facebook hub “to promote campaign videos, photographs, success stories and other content —including a real-time donation ticker.”  http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/major-campaign-launched-to-eliminate-seven-diseases-by-2020-136999458.html