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Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a neglected tropical disease that is prevalent in Latin America and is a leading cause of heart disease in the region. However, the disease is also present in North America, with Mexico and the United States having a significant number of cases. Poverty and lack of access to healthcare contribute to the transmission of the disease. There is a lack of awareness and surveillance of Chagas disease in North America, and efforts are needed to improve diagnosis, treatment, and research for the disease. [Extracted from the article]

Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a neglected tropical disease that disproportionately affects those living in poverty in the Americas. It is a leading cause of death and disability in the region, particularly due to chronic conditions like Chagasic cardiomyopathy. The disease is not only prevalent in Latin America but also in the US and Europe, with up to 1 million cases in the US alone. Access to treatment is limited and expensive, and the disease is highly stigmatized, hindering care. The text compares the challenges faced by individuals with Chagas disease to those with HIV/AIDS, highlighting the need for increased attention, resources, and global cooperation to address the epidemic and reduce health disparities. [Extracted from the article]

The "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi" Regional Research Center, located at the Autonomous University of Yucatan in Mexico, is a leading facility for scientific medical research. The center was established in 1975 and has since grown to include departments in tropical pathology, reproductive health, physiology, and social sciences. It has become a major research facility in southern Mexico, with a focus on infectious and tropical diseases. The center has made significant contributions to the understanding and control of diseases such as dengue, West Nile virus, rickettsiosis, leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease. It also plays a role in training health professionals and contributes to the formal teaching programs of the university. The center's research has had a significant impact on regional and national health policies. [Extracted from the article]

The Gulf of Mexico is becoming a hotspot for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), particularly in the subtropical areas of North America. This region includes large urban centers such as Houston, Tampa-St. Petersburg, Havana, and New Orleans, as well as rural populations. The high rates of NTDs in this area are not necessarily new, but rather a result of extreme poverty, environmental degradation, and a warm subtropical climate. Similar NTDs are also prevalent in the Gulf Coast states of Mexico, including dengue, West Nile virus, and Chagas disease. International cooperation between the US and Mexico, as well as public and private scientific institutions, is needed to control and eliminate these diseases. Efforts should focus on disease surveillance, vector control, deworming, and research and development for diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines. Collaboration between the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and the "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi" Regional Research Center of the Autonomous University of Yucatan is already underway, with a focus on Chagas disease. International collaboration is crucial in combating these cross-border diseases, and a consortium of Gulf of Mexico biomedical institutions could advance disease control and elimination efforts in the region. [Extracted from the article]

A consortium of institutions from Texas and Mexico is working together to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Mesoamerica. Despite improvements in public health, NTDs are still a major issue in the region, particularly affecting the poorest populations. The main NTDs in the area include hookworm, Chagas disease, amoebiasis, schistosomiasis, vivax malaria, leishmaniasis, and dengue. These diseases have a significant impact on child development, pregnancy outcomes, and worker productivity, perpetuating poverty. The article highlights the prevalence of NTDs in Mexico and Texas and emphasizes the need for collaboration between the two countries to address this issue. [Extracted from the article]