How foreign aid to treat neglected tropical diseases yields big economic returns

As President Joe Biden announced his decision to donate 500 million COVID-19 vaccines to other countries, Edward Miguel calls attention to another parallel opportunity that could improve the health and well-being of billions of people. Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are among the most common illnesses affecting the world’s poorest people, and most can be prevented by inexpensive treatments, as little as 50 cents per child. Miguel points to his research on the impacts of a school-based deworming program in Kenya, which demonstrates how early childhood health interventions lead to large, sustained social and economic gains. He calls on the U.S. to push investment in widespread access to NTD treatments in order to overcome this global health challenge.

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