02625nas a2200301   4500000000100000008004100001653001500042653003900057653001800096653001400114653001200128100001500140700001700155700001300172700001300185700001600198700001500214700002000229700001600249700001600265700001500281700001600296245017100312300001200483490000800495520180600503022001402309       2015                            d10aPrevention10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)10aInterventions10aHelminths10aControl1 aNakagawa J1 aEhrenberg JP1 aNealon J1 aFürst T1 aAratchige P1 aGonzales G1 aChanthavisouk C1 aHernandez L1 aFengthong T1 aUtzinger J1 aSteinmann P00aTowards effective prevention and control of helminth neglected tropical diseases in the Western Pacific Region through multi-disease and multi-sectoral interventions.  a407-4180 v1413 a<p>Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) cause serious health, social and economic burdens in the countries of the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region. Among the NTDs, helminth infections are particularly prominent with regard to the number of infected individuals and health impact. Co-endemicity is common among impoverished and marginalized populations. To achieve effective and sustainable control of helminth NTDs, a deeper understanding of the social-ecological systems governing their endemicity and strategies beyond preventive chemotherapy are required to tackle the multiple causes of infection and re-infection. We discuss the feasibility of implementing multi-disease, multi-sectoral intervention packages for helminth NTDs in the Western Pacific Region. After reviewing the main determinants for helminth NTD endemicity and current control strategies, key control activities that involve or concern other programmes within and beyond the health sector are discussed. A considerable number of activities that have an impact on more than one helminth NTD are identified in a variety of sectors, suggesting an untapped potential for synergies. We also highlight the challenges of multi-sectoral collaboration, particularly of involving non-health sectors. We conclude that multi-sectoral collaboration for helminth NTD control is feasible if the target diseases and sectors are carefully selected. To do so, an incentive analysis covering key stakeholders in the sectors is crucial, and the disease-control strategies need to be well understood. The benefits of multi-disease, multi-sectoral approaches could go beyond immediate health impacts by contributing to sustainable development, raising educational attainment, increasing productivity and reducing health inequities.</p>
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