Linking global HIV/AIDS treatments with national programs for the control and elimination of the neglected tropical diseases.

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to more than 90% of the world's cases of onchocerciasis and schistosomiasis, about one-half the world's lymphatic filariasis and trachoma, and one-third of all global soil-transmitted helminth infections [1]. These infections exhibit extensive geographic overlap and polyparasitism in Africa is extremely common [1]–[3]. The neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) produce a devastating level of chronic disability in sub-Saharan Africa, with some estimates suggesting that the NTD disease burden exceeds tuberculosis and is one-half that of malaria [1]. Most of the African population living in poverty is infected with one or more NTDs [1]. In children, the NTDs are responsible for anemia and other forms of malnutrition, intestinal obstruction, and impaired physical and cognitive development [2]–[4]. In adults, NTDs cause anemia, especially in pregnancy, damage to internal organs, and physical disfigurement [2]–[4]. The NTDs are among the most common infections affecting the health and well-being of girls and women [5]. Through their impact on child development, pregnancy outcome, and worker productivity, the NTDs also thwart economic development [6].