01588nas a2200157   4500000000100000008004100001260001200042100001300054700002000067245005600087856009900143300001300242490000700255520115400262022001401416       2020                            d  c08/20201 aSrour LM1 aBaratti-Mayer D00aWhy is noma a neglected-neglected tropical disease?  uhttps://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0008435&type=printable  ae00084350 v143 a<p>Noma is an orofacial gangrene affecting primarily children living in extreme poverty in remote parts of subtropical and tropical countries. Mortality and disability are high, and survivors often have physical and functional deformities resulting in stigma and isolation. Many healthcare professionals and primary healthcare workers where noma risk factors exist have no knowledge about noma and its implications. Public health measures to improve nutrition, immunizations, sanitation, and access to healthcare and measures to eliminate extreme poverty can lead to the eradication of noma. Research allocation has been insufficient to study the epidemiology, treatment, and prevention of noma. In a recent editorial by Hotez and colleagues in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), "What constitutes an NTD?" Noma is not included. The exclusion of noma from NTDs constitutes this preventable childhood disease as a neglected neglected disease. The purpose of this article is the inclusion of noma with the PLOS NTDs. Increased awareness and attention to noma can lead to the eradication of this disease affecting the world's most vulnerable.</p>  a1935-2735