01392nas a2200253 4500000000100000000000100001008004100002653002100043653001800064653002000082653002300102653002100125653001100146653001400157100001900171700001900190700001900209245008100228300001200309490000700321050001900328520077700347022001401124 2012 d10aTropical Climate10aSocial stigma10aQuality of Life10aNeglected Diseases10aMental Disorders10aHumans10aCausality1 aElizabeth Litt1 aMargaret Baker1 aDavid Molyneux00aNeglected tropical diseases and mental health: a perspective on comorbidity. a195-2010 v28 aLitt2012 - NTD3 a

Mental health conditions will be the largest contributor to the global health burden by 2030. Our review suggests that neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) predispose individuals to poor mental health. Factors predisposing to poor mental health include stigma and discrimination, exclusion from participating fully in society, reduced access to health and social services, lack of educational opportunities, exclusion from income-generation and employment opportunities, and restrictions in exercising civil and political rights. These characteristics are all features of NTDs, but the mental health of these sufferers has been ignored. This review raises an issue of concern and highlights the opportunities for research by psychiatrists and psychologists on NTDs.

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