Table 1 The sustainable development goals, the linkage between SDGs and NTDs and the NTDs referenced

1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

NTDs and the medical poverty trap: Debilitating diseases cause significant economic burden to affected individuals, households and communities. Free of charge and community directed interventions in addition to preventive care can reduce this burden.

Dengue, Chikungunya, Lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis Leishmaniasis, Buruli Ulcer, Cysticercosis. Trachoma, Schistosomiasis

2 - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

Worm infections reduces nutrient uptake in human and animal hosts while infections from other NTDs reduces ability to work. Treating the affected can improve food security and ensure healthy livestock.

STH, schistosomiasis, Chagas, Dracunaliasis, trachoma, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, HAT, dracunculiasis

3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all

NTDs affect all aspects of healthy lives. The promotion of Universal Health Coverage as part of NTD interventions ensures well-being beyond the NTDs.

All NTDs

4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

NTDs can cause stigma and reduce school attendance, performance and cognitive ability. School based programs, including deworming and health education, ensure children can attend school.

Lymphatic filariasis, cutaneous leishmaniasis, STH, Schistosomiasis,

5 - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

NTDs disproportionally impact the health of girls and women. Community directed distribution programs and women’s groups as part of drug distribution programs can empower women.

STH, Zika, Chagas, Schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis

6 - Ensure access to water and sanitation for all.

Water and sanitation play an important role in the lifecycle of most NTDs. The joint WASH-NTD strategy aims to improve access to water and sanitation for the most disadvantaged populations.

STH, Dracunculiasis, Trachoma, Schistosomiasis, Onchocerciasis, Lymphatic filariasis, Dengue, Chikungunya

7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Construction of dams can serve as breeding sites while biogas material used can be infectious. Impact of dams on water tables can change vector ecology. Vector control and the disinfection of biogas material can leverage the proliferation of rural sustainable energy projects.

Schistosomiasis, Onchocerciasis, Lymphatic filariasis

8 - Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all

NTD infections are a large burden to health care system and reduce economic productivity of the workforce. Deworming and sustained vector control ensures limited impact on health care system and a healthy workforce.

STH, lymphatic filiarisis, rabies, dengue, hookworm, schistosomiasis,

9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Interventions to the most neglected populations requires development and investment in supply chains including transport and storage infrastructure as well as clinics for distribution of donated medicines.

STH, Dracunculiasis, Trachoma, onchocerciasis, Schistosomiasis, Lymphatic filariasis

10 - Reduce inequality within and among countries.

Inequalities in disease prevalence across socioeconomic groups is a hallmark of NTDs. Interventions aimed at the most disadvantaged and marginalized populations aims to reduce this inequality.

All NTDs

11 - Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Mosquito and other disease vectors have adapted and proliferated in urban environments. Actively removing breeding sites through community based interventions ensures cities are resilient to this threat.

Leishmaniasis, Chagas, Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, Yellow Fever

12- Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Chemicals are frequently used to combat nuisance or disease vector mosquitos. The sustainable use and management of chemicals is ensured through continued pesticide safety and efficacy evaluation.

Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, Yellow Fever

13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Vector borne disease epidemics increase with changes in temperature, rainfall and relative humidity. A better understanding of the effect of climate change can be gained through modelling and surveillance of the interaction between NTDs and climate.

Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, Yellow Fever, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis

14 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources

Clean water bodies are important to maintain food security and good sanitation. NTD interventions can address contaminated water through treatment programs and by providing educational service to affected communities.

Trematodes

15 - Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss

Deforestation leads to the proliferation of vector borne disease affecting people who work or live at interface with forest. Active vector control and providing educational service to affected communities can mitigate the impact of disease vector proliferation.

Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, Yellow Fever, cutaneous leishmaniasis, loiasis,

16 - Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies

NTD disease epidemics frequently occur during times of war and crisis. Advocating for interventions to affected populations in times of crisis can be used as a tool to promote peace.

Dracunculiasis, leishmaniasis

17 - Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

Public–private partnerships for NTD interventions have been key and effective. Experience gained from working with these partnerships can be used to build on partnerships for other SDG themes.

All NTDs