The 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) constitute an economic powerhouse, yet these countries also harbor a mostly hidden burden of poverty and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Almost 200 million people live in extreme poverty in ASEAN countries, and many of them are affected by at least one NTD. However, NTDs are prevalent even among upper middle-income ASEAN countries such as Malaysia and Thailand, especially among the indigenous populations.
By Peter J. Hotez, Maria Elena Bottazzi, Ulrich Strych, Li-Yen Chang, Yvonne A. L. Lim, Maureen M. Goodenow and Sazaly AbuBakar.
