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Raising the international profile of
podoconiosis.
Dr Gail Davey
Reader in Global Health,
Brighton & Sussex Medical School
and
Honorary Associate Professor,
Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
Podoconiosis: definition
Tropical elephantiasis,
distinct from lymphatic
filariasis (LF). Ascending,
commonly bilateral but
asymmetric lymphoedema.
No virus, bacterium or
parasite identified despite
extensive investigation.
‘Podoconiosis’ from the
Greek podos (foot) and
konos (dust/earth).
Disease Burden
Podoconiosis is Common:
5-10% prevalence in endemic areas across tropics.
Est. 4 million people affected across tropical Africa.
Podoconiosis is Costly
Annual cost to Ethiopia estimated US$200m.
Huge burden of human suffering.
Simple Treatment is Effective
Before
After
Strategies to bring podoconiosis to
international attention
• Development of systematic program of
research linked to a patient association
(MFTPA);
• Lobbying across disciplines (health,
development and education) at national
and international level;
• Partnership with business (TOMS);
• Direct, evidence-backed approaches to
eg. WHO, GELF, PLoS NTD.
Successes in 2011
1. Included in WHO list of NTDs
(http://www.who.int/neglected_diseases/diseases/podoconiosis/en/);
2. National Podoconiosis Action Network
established in Ethiopia;
3. Need for International Podoconiosis
Initiative agreed in Boston.