Contribuições para a agenda de controle e eliminação das DTNs de relevância para a região Nordeste

Abstract

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) comprise a group of more than 20 diseases caused by infectious or parasitic agents, with a higher prevalence in tropical and subtropical regions of approximately 150 countries, where they generate high morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomic impact (WHO et al., 2022). Estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that more than 1.7 billion people have at least one NTD. Addressing these diseases requires the implementation of the One Health approach, which recognizes the interdependence between human, animal, and environmental health, promoting integrated and collaborative actions among these sectors (WHO, 2023c; WHO et al., 2022). Estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that more than 1.7 billion people have at least one NTD. Addressing these diseases requires the implementation of the One Health approach, which recognizes the interdependence between human, animal, and environmental health, promoting integrated and collaborative actions across sectors (WHO, 2023c; WHO et al., 2022). Brazil stands out in this scenario for concentrating a large share of the morbidity and mortality burden from NTDs in Latin America and the Caribbean (Martins-Melo et al., 2016). International and national initiatives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Healthy Brazil program, and the Interministerial Committee for the Elimination of Tuberculosis and Other Socially Determined Diseases (CIEDS), are aligned with the goal of promoting intersectoral actions that contribute to the elimination of socially determined diseases as public health problems in the country (Brazil, 2024c; UN, 2015). Historically, the Brazilian Northeast has a prominent scenario regarding NTDs, with high morbidity and mortality rates, in addition to specificities related to geographical, climatological, and regional development aspects as a consequence of historical factors related to chronic poverty. Social vulnerabilities are part of the daily lives of a large part of the population, thus fostering the resurgence of NTDs in the poorest areas (Silva et al., 2021). Among the NTDs of greatest epidemiological relevance in the Northeast region are: arboviruses (dengue, chikungunya), Chagas disease, schistosomiasis, geohelminthiasis, leishmaniasis, human rabies, trachoma, snakebites (SB) and certain fungal infections (coccidioidomycosis and sporotrichosis) (Brazil, 2023a, 2023g, 2025b, 2025c, 2025e, 2025g; Oliveira et al., 2020; Silva et al., 2021).