The Guardian: South Asians with ‘neglected diseases’ pay high economic and social price
“…About 1.3 billion people are at risk from this ‘neglected disease of the poor’ [lymphatic filariasis (LF)] and 120 million people are affected, living with varying degrees of disability caused by chronic swelling of the extremities or genitals, debilitating fevers, or enlargement of the scrotum (hydrocoele). One-third of these people live in 15 Indian states. … For affected households, living standards are lower. People affected by LF lose, on average, one month of income every year because of disabilities and fevers. Health care costs are also much higher…” (Chonghaile, 10/1).