Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) encompass a variety of diseases, including parasitic, viral, and bacterial infections. NTDs differ from other tropical diseases because there is a significant absence of investment in active disease surveillance, lack of available healthcare services and a low involvement by local, state and federal public health agencies. NTDs disproportionately affect developing countries, where access to health care is poor. However, NTDs are also present in areas with high rates of poverty in the United States. These diseases diminish the quality of life and socioeconomic opportunities, reinforcing the cycle of poverty among already disadvantaged populations.
Tropical Medicine in the Gulf of Mexico, or Trop-G, is a global health movement consisting of research institutions that aim to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases. Founding members of the organization understood the importance of an international partnership to advance disease control and elimination efforts. Partners include Tulane University, Baylor College of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán and Universidad Veracruzana.
Trop-G is sponsoring a journal club open to academics, researchers and students in order to create an atmosphere for discussion about specific topics on neglected diseases. The Trop-G Journal Club aims to teach participants on different aspects of the disease, including clinical management, treatment, control programs, access to the community, education, among others.
Members of the journal club are dedicated to being advocates for the voiceless and vulnerable populations that are disproportionately affected by these NTDs.
Trop-G 