Published: March 25, 2025 | File type: External Link

Need for a paradigm shift in soil-transmitted helminthiasis control: Targeting the right people, in the right place, and with the right drug(s)

Paul M. Emerson, Darin Evans, Matthew C. Freeman, Christy Hanson, Khumbo Kalua, Jennifer Keiser, Alejandro Krolewiecki, Lynn Leonard, Bruno Levecke, Sultani Matendechero, Arianna Rubin Means, Antonio Montresor, Denise Mupfasoni, Rachel L. Pullan, Lisa A. Rotondo, Mariana Stephens, Kristin M. Sullivan, Judd L. Walson, Tijana Williams, Jürg Utzinger

We propose 3 critical policy actions that constitute a paradigm shift in STH control and elimination that will increase eligible population reach and perhaps interrupt transmission and eliminate the parasites: (i) target deworming drugs to the right people, in the right place, in the right quantity; (ii) use the right drug(s) for the prevalent species; and (iii) increase coordination, accountability, and country ownership. In this new paradigm, global control of STH can be more equitable, more effective, and more cost-efficient.

Emerson PM, Evans D, Freeman MC, Hanson C, Kalua K, Keiser J, et al. (2024) Need for a paradigm shift in soil-transmitted helminthiasis control: Targeting the right people, in the right place, and with the right drug(s). PLoS Negl Trop Dis 18(10): e0012521. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012521