Systemic neglect perpetuates stigma and mental health crises among NTD-affected populations
Original framing: “Communities unite to address stigma and discrimination affecting people with neglected tropical diseases” — WHO News
The neglect of tropical diseases has deep roots in colonial-era medicine, where tropical regions were seen as 'backward' and their health issues as secondary to 'civilized' nations. This historical bias continues to shape funding priorities and global health discourse.
The systemic neglect of NTDs is rooted in historical colonial hierarchies that devalued the health of marginalized populations.
This has led to underfunded health systems, exclusion of indigenous knowledge, and a failure to address the mental health crisis among affected communities. By integrating mental health care, amplifying local voices, and restructuring global health governance, we can begin to dismantle the power imbalances that perpetuate this crisis. The WHO and global health actors must move beyond symbolic calls for unity and commit to structural reform that centers equity, justice, and sustainability.