Product Description
Some of the worst tropical diseases in the world have too long been ignored. Parasitic and bacterial diseases such as hookworm, snail fever, river blindness, guinea worm, elephantiasis, sleeping sickness, and leprosy are the most common infections of third-world populations. These neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) represent one of the most important reasons why populations living in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America remain caught in a vicious cycle of poverty, stigma, and despair. With a lifetime devoted to the subject of tropical diseases, the well-known expert Dr. Peter Hotez provides a comprehensive view of these forgotten diseases. Written in accessible, straightforward language, Forgotten People, Forgotten Diseases thoroughly explains the most significant NTDs, including social and economic aspects, public health concerns, and preventative measures. This volume will raise public awareness about these forgotten diseases and their enormous physical, social, and economic costs to individuals and nations alike, and advocates for the largely voiceless victims living in remote and rural regions. Dr. Hotez also provides a roadmap to coordinate global advocacy and mobilization of resources to combat these conditions. Finally, the book addresses unique opportunities to fight the NTDs through low-cost and highly cost-effective control measures.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 1 review)

Thanksgiving... by Judy Stone (Maryland)

5 Stars
November 29, 2008
Dr. Hotez skillfully introduces readers to an array of "neglected tropical diseases" which devastate the world's poorest populations--2.7 billion of whom live on less than $2 per day. Some of the infections that afflict the poor, such as worms, schistosomiasis, or filariasis (elephantiasis) cause debilitating illnesses. While these diseases are less dramatic and attention fetching than malaria and HIV/AIDS, they have vast personal, social, and economic consequences. Moreover, because of their victims' poverty, these diseases are largely ignored. Dr. Hotez calls much needed attention to a dozen of these diseases. Dr. Hotez' writing is valuable not only for its timely subject matter but also for its clarity and simplicity. It is a rare skill to be able to reach readers of vastly different levels yet Dr. Hotez effortlessly explains these diseases as well as their impact in language and detail appropriate for high-school to post-graduate readers. He also excels at helping readers to understand non-obvious links between poverty, parasitic infections, and HIV/AIDS. For example, Dr. Hotez' explanation of how schistosomiasis, a water-transmitted worm, increases a person's susceptibility to HIV infection and his explanation of how anemia from these and other worms can impair learning and subsequent income-earning ability will be appreciated by critical readers. In short, this book is an excellent primer, with numerous references for more detailed exploration. Each chapter provides an overview of the organism, the illness it causes, and the social and economic impact of each of these illnesses. The accompanying photographs make a striking impression, and they, as well as the other helpful illustrations, have great visual impact. I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Hotez and a number of his colleagues speak two years ago. One of the major conference themes, which was new to me although I am an infectious diseases physician, is that 7 major neglected tropical diseases could be eradicated for less than 50 cents per person/per year. Since learning that, I have incorporated some of this material about NTDs into my talks, and the slides for these are available at [...] Ironically, Dr. Hotez' new book, "Forgotten People, Forgotten Diseases" was part of my Thanksgiving fare this year, and served as an excellent reminder of all we do have to be thankful for. This book is clearly written and inspirational, and is a call to action. What are we waiting for? Judy Stone, MD author, "Conducting Clinical Research: A Practical Guide..."

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