Are current preventive chemotherapy strategies for controlling and eliminating neglected tropical diseases cost-effective?

Turner, Hugo, Stolk, Wilma, Soloman, Anothony, King, Jonathan, Montresor, Antonio and Molyneux, David ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8537-7947 (2021) 'Are current preventive chemotherapy strategies for controlling and eliminating neglected tropical diseases cost-effective?'. BMJ Global Health, Vol 6, Issue 8, e005456.

Preview

Text Are current preventive chemotherapy strategies for controlling and eliminating neglected tropical diseases cost-effective_.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial. Download (791kB) | Preview

Abstract

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in many low-income and middle-income countries. Several NTDs, namely lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) and trachoma, are predominantly controlled by preventive chemotherapy (or mass drug administration), following recommendations set by the WHO. Over one billion people are now treated for NTDs with this strategy per year. However, further investment and increased domestic healthcare spending are urgently needed to continue these programmes. Consequently, it is vital that the cost-effectiveness of preventive chemotherapy is understood. We analyse the current estimates on the cost per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) of the preventive chemotherapy strategies predominantly used for these diseases and identify key evidence gaps that require further research. Overall, the reported estimates show that preventive chemotherapy is generally cost-effective, supporting WHO recommendations. More specifically, the cost per DALY averted estimates relating to community-wide preventive chemotherapy for lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis were particularly favourable when compared with other public health interventions. Cost per DALY averted estimates of school-based preventive chemotherapy for schistosomiasis and STH were also generally favourable but more variable. Notably, the broader socioeconomic benefits are likely not being fully captured by the DALYs averted metric. No estimates of cost per DALY averted relating to community-wide mass antibiotic treatment for trachoma were found, highlighting the need for further research. These findings are important for informing global health policy and support the need for continuing NTD control and elimination efforts.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	QX Parasitology > QX 4 General works WA Public Health > Preventive Medicine > WA 110 Prevention and control of communicable diseases. Transmission of infectious diseases WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries WC Communicable Diseases > Tropical and Parasitic Diseases > WC 680 Tropical diseases (General) WC Communicable Diseases > Tropical and Parasitic Diseases > WC 695 Parasitic diseases (General)
Faculty: Department:	Biological Sciences > Department of Tropical Disease Biology
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005456
Depositing User:	Marie Hatton
Date Deposited:	03 Sep 2021 15:22
Last Modified:	03 Sep 2021 15:22
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/18817

Statistics

View details

Actions (login required)

Edit Item