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For the past several months, swine flu has dominated the media, the medical profession, and the minds of Americans. While the public is up in arms about this attention-hoarding disease, a group of equally severe diseases remains unseen and unheard. These diseases, called Neglected Infections of Poverty, were given a well-deserved moment in the spotlight at the National Summit on Neglected Infections of Poverty in the United States, held on Oct. 27 at the Rayburn House Office building on Capital Hill.

 

Facilitated by Peter Hotez, M.D., Ph.D., Walter G. Ross Professor and chair, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, the summit provided a forum through which leaders in the field could raise awareness, share information, and encourage activism in regards to these diseases. Dubbed as “the swine flu of the poor” due to the disproportionate effects on impoverished and minority populations in the United States, these diseases are a disheartening manifestation of our country’s negligent policy on poverty.

 

“We often saythat you can tell a lot about a country by how they treat their most disadvantaged. I think we have a wonderful opportunity here today to discuss what we as Americans should be doing about this disadvantaged population and the associated health issues,” said Susan Eisenhower, president of the Eisenhower Group, Inc.

 

The program’s participants, who included representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Public Health Association, the Adler School of Professional Psychology, GW students and professors, researchers from around the country, and even two Congressmen, identified the major Neglected Infections of Poverty as toxocariasis, toxoplasmosis, trichomoniasis, congenital cytomegalovirus, cysticercosis, and Chagas disease.

 

While these diseases are endemic (affecting nearly 1 billion of the world’s people—most of whom are women and children) and severe (causing debilitating, painful, and chronic harm), they lack the visibility of other diseases. “Neglected Infections of Poverty are chronic and disabling—but, unlike HIV/AIDS or Malaria, they are not fatal,” explained Dr. Hotez, recognizing the challenge of generating concern around such illnesses.

 

What’s more, the lack of research on these diseases stumps advocates with a catch-22. Without the research demonstrating the effects and the prevalence of the diseases, the government has no basis on which to justify funding. Without funding, however, the research cannot be conducted. “Right now, we don’t need a solution to these problems; what we need is political will,” said Eileen Stillwaggon, Ph.D., professor of Economics and Harold G. Evans-Eisenhower Professor at Gettysburg College.

 

Demonstrating the existence of at least some political will, Congressmen Henry “Hank” Johnson of Georgia and Gene Green of Texas vocalized their commitment to progress in this area. “In efforts to reform American health care, it is crucial that we provide resources to assess the prevalence of these diseases which are inadequately researched and understood,” stated Congressman Johnson, who outlined a proposed amendment that would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide continuous reports on the progress of these parasitic diseases.

 

“In the health care field, we still need a lot of help to play catch-up on these issues,” added Congressman Green. “Hopefully, you will be successful in getting members of congress to talk about these illnesses in order to fund research and raise public awareness.”

 

After being thoroughly briefed on the gravity of these diseases, summit participants were eager to take action. They identified the need to underscore the link between a low IQ and infection in order to engage schools and parents. They also promoted equipping medical professionals with the knowledge to identify these under-recognized diseases. Further, they suggested emphasizing the self-perpetuating cycle of these diseases and poverty, which further inhibits societal productivity. “Not only do these diseases occur in places of poverty, but they are actually a cause of poverty,” said Dr. Hotez.

 

Additionally, measures such as vaccine development, putting de-worming medications in animal food, administering cheap, effective medicine to combat parasites, and expanding research initiatives were suggested. Finally, the participants organized themselves into working groups, solidifying this conference as only the first step in a continuing crusade against these diseases, which, with continued dedication, will no longer be neglected.