Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of parasitic, viral and bacterial infections that afflict mainly those living in extreme poverty. An estimated 1.6 million households in the U.S. and 5 million people in Mexico live in extreme poverty, less than $2 per person per day. NTDs tend to be chronic, debilitating infections that leave their victims malnourished, disabled and disfigured, often resulting in social stigma and a limited capacity to work or attend school. Despite the fact that NTDs impact public health and local economies in both the U.S. and Mexico, only a few initiatives are working to prevent these diseases.
“The United States and Mexico: Addressing a Shared Legacy of Neglected Tropical Diseases and Poverty” brought together scientists and policy experts to discuss how NTDs are affecting both countries. The conference examined the social and political barriers to the control and prevention of NTDs and determined ways that the U.S. and Mexico can work together to address these diseases.
Dr. Mercedes Juan López, Mexico's minister of health, delivered an address during the morning session.
These events are organized by the Baker Institute's Center for Health and Biosciences and the Mexico Center; the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine; and the END Fund, in partnership with the Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development. They are supported by a grant from the AbbVie Foundation and Burt and Deedee McMurtry.
To view the entire conference, please click below:
Tackling Disease and Poverty in Mexico
Disease and Poverty in Mexico/Resource Mobilization
Agenda
8:00 am |
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Breakfast |
9:00 am |
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Welcome Remarks and IntroductionsVivian Ho, Ph.D. Verónica Arroyave, Ph.D., MPH Introduction to student outreach competition winners |
9:15 am |
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Blue Marble Health Peter Hotez, M.D., Ph.D. |
10:00 am |
Tackling Disease and Poverty in Mexico Mercedes Juan López, M.D. |
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11:00 am |
Panel I: NTDs in the Gulf CoastModerator: Peter Hotez, M.D., Ph.D. Zoonotic and Viral Infections Parasitic Infections |
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Noon |
Luncheon Keynote: Addressing NTDs with Public Policy at the State LevelSarah Davis, J.D. |
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1:00 pm |
Disease and Poverty in Mexico Roberto Tapia-Conyer, M.D., Ph.D., MPH |
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1:45 pm |
Resource Mobilization Sarah Marchal Murray |
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2:30 pm |
Panel II: Social and Environmental Determinants of NTDs and Technologies for Treatment and PreventionModerator: Tony Payan, Ph.D., Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies and Director, Mexico Center, Baker Institute Bruce Lee, M.D., MBA Sahotra Sarkar, Ph.D. Lester Martínez-López, M.D. Carolina Batista, M.D. |
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3:30 pm |
Break |
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3:45 pm |
Panel III: Shaping Policy for NTD Control and PreventionModerator: Anna C. Dragsbaek, J.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, The Immunization Partnership Carina Perotti Fux, M.D. Andrew Natsios Eva M. Moya, Ph.D. Blanca Lomeli, M.D. |
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4:45 pm |
Closing Remarks |
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