A Research Agenda for the Control & Elimination of Human Helminthiases

More than half of the world's population is at risk of helminthiases, and millions of people are currently infected with one or more helminth species. Consequences of infection include suffering, stigmatization, morbidity, and premature death. These infections are associated with low work productivity, poor cognitive performance, and slow socioeconomic development, thereby contributing to accentuate poverty and inequality.The Disease Reference Group on Helminth Infections (DRG4) put forward a series of reviews that, taken together, outline a compelling research and development (R&D) agenda for the control and elimination of helminth diseases of humans. Additionally, an editorial from Jürg Utzinger gives emphasis to the importance of continued research on these diseases.

Image Credit: Images by (from left) Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Disease Control, Dr. Banchob Sripa (Khon Kaen University, Thailand)