PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: Global Christianity and the Control of Its Neglected Tropical Diseases
Peter Hotez, co-editor in chief of PLOS NTDs and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine

When data from the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life are superimposed with WHO’s Preventive Chemotherapy and Transmission Control (PCT) Databank, “…The findings confirm that approximately one billion Christians who live in developing countries of Africa, Asia, and the Americas are highly vulnerable to NTDs. These diseases, which are highly destabilizing and associated with chronic and debilitating effects, represent a major force that traps the world’s poorest Christians in poverty. … Christian institutions and organizations could have an important role in expanding the control or treatment of NTDs among the 1.3 billion Christians estimated to live in the Global South. … Through NTDs, a renewed dialogue with faith-based organizations that work in developing countries and elements of the hierarchy of the Christian Church could make an important difference in global Christianity and the lives of the world’s poorest people” (11/20).