Mortality from neglected tropical diseases in countries of Southern Cone. 2000-2014

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are infectious diseases that generally manifest themselves in impoverished environments and are not usually taken into account in health budgets and government agendas. Typical of hot climates and humid environments, they are transmitted mainly by insects, contaminated waters or soils, and cause serious consequences both for those who suffer them (such as disability and lifelong deficiencies) and for the population as a whole. The objective of this work was to analyze, comparatively, the variation of neglected tropical diseases in the countries of the Southern Cone (Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay) in the trienniums 1999-2001 and 2013-2015, with a view to identifying the challenges that they face to reduce morbidity and mortality due to this group of causes, in accordance with the commitments assumed in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals. The methodology applied was that of death statistics and population projections prepared by the United Nations. Mortality rates by country, sex, age and cause were calculated for the 1999-2001 and 2013-2015 triennia. Likewise, years of life expectancy lost were estimated to assess the contribution of each cause to total mortality. The results showed that the mortality rate from neglected tropical diseases decreased in all countries, being always higher in Brazil. An analysis by sex and age indicated that men and older people were the most affected. A decrease in the years of life expectancy lost due to different causes was also observed in all countries, except when considering Dengue in Brazil, and to a lesser extent, Leprosy in Chile and Cysticercosis in Argentina. As a conclusion, it is recommended to continue with the reduction of mortality from some causes and to reverse the increase in others. It is necessary to address the problem in a more comprehensive way, with a special focus on the most affected populations. That is, the poor, and within them, migrants, indigenous communities and Afro-descendants.