Publications

New WHO Report: Global Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases 2025

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the Global Report on Neglected Tropical
Diseases 2025, marking 20 years of global action and data against some of the world’s most
persistent yet preventable diseases.
The report highlights major milestones achieved through collective effort — from the reduction of
people needing NTD interventions by nearly one-third since 2010, to 54 countries eliminating at
least one NTD by 2024. It also underscores the ongoing challenges of financing, data gaps, and the
impact of climate change on NTD transmission.
This edition introduces:
✅ Key progress updates on the NTD Road Map 2021–2030
✅ Insights into sustainability and domestic resource mobilization
✅ New WHO guidelines, frameworks, and tools for national programmes
✅ Expanded focus on gender, equity, and human rights in NTD programming

“We are living in a golden age of disease elimination… With the hard work of governments,
communities, and partners, overcoming challenges and liberating the world’s most vulnerable
communities from diseases is not aspirational – it’s real.”
— Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO

Interrupting transmission of Mycobacterium leprae: synthesis of new evidence and research recommendations

This paper presents the research outcomes from the Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL) Zero Transmission Symposium, held on May 23–25, 2024, in Bergen, Norway—the historic birthplace of the discovery of Mycobacterium leprae in 1873. The symposium brought together a multidisciplinary group of experts to review scientific progress and identify remaining knowledge gaps in interrupting M. leprae transmission.

Building on the 2014 symposium held at Baylor College of Medicine, this paper highlights advances and continuing research needs across key areas such as epidemiology, microbiological and immunodiagnostics, genotyping, geospatial mapping, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), mathematical modelling, OneHealth approaches, environmental transmission, and social determinants of health.

Operational approaches and recommendations to interrupt transmission of Mycobacterium leprae

This paper captures the key outcomes of the Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL) Zero Transmission Symposium, held from May 23–25 2024 in Bergen, Norway. The symposium brought together global experts to reflect on a decade of progress toward interrupting Mycobacterium leprae transmission and to shape the next phase of operational and research priorities.

The discussions focused on advancing operational approaches for monitoring infection and prevalence, tailoring interventions to local contexts, and scaling programmatic implementation. Key recommendations emerged across six areas—diagnostics, active case detection, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and treatment, antimicrobial resistance surveillance, vaccination, and social determinants of health.

Report of the Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy (Hansen’s disease) and their family members

In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy (Hansen’s disease) and their family members, Beatriz Miranda-Galarza, examines challenges in accessing medicines and treatment as a key human rights issue. She highlights how failures in the drug supply chain affect individuals, families and communities, identifying bottlenecks based on input from states, grass-roots groups and experts. She calls for inclusive, rights-based health systems, meaningful engagement with affected communities and continued support for the mandate until the rights and contributions of persons affected by leprosy are fully recognized.

Improving early case detection in leprosy: Reports from recent workshops

In an editorial published in Leprosy Review, Dr. Paul Saunderson shares outcomes from and reflects on our first research workshop, held in September 2021, and subsequent ILEP conferences which focused on early case detection.

Improving funding transparency to advance leprosy research

A letter to the editor published in the September 2022 issue of Leprosy Review.

A Comprehensive Research Agenda for Zero Leprosy

The Zero Leprosy Research Agenda was published in Infectious Diseases of Poverty. 

Persons affected by leprosy and the COVID-19 global health crisis: a consultative calls report from GPZL’s emergency response Working Group 2

A report from GPZL’s Emergency Response Working Group 2, published in the December 2020 issue of Leprosy Review.

GPZL Working Group 1 assesses challenges and a path forward for leprosy during COVID-19

A report from GPZL’s Leprosy Emergency Operations Committee (LEOC), published in the December 2020 issue of Leprosy Review.

Challenges and a Path Forward for Leprosy during COVID-19: Working Group 1 Report

Working Group 1 found that COVID-19 was having a direct impact on clinics, MDT supply, patient access to care, and NGO activities.

Editorial: Evidence, opportunity, ethics, and the allure of zero leprosy by David G. Addiss

After a decade in which the long-term downward trend in the number of people diagnosed with leprosy (also known as Hansen’s disease) has stalled, there is new momentum toward a vision of zero leprosy. This has been facilitated by scientific advances, particularly related to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for leprosy, and the coming together of the leprosy community in a new Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy.

Persons Affected by Leprosy and the COVID-19 Global Health Crisis: Working Group 2 Consultative Calls Report

Emergency Response Working Group 2: Emergency Advocacy for Persons Affected, has conducted consultative calls with individual persons affected and persons affected organizations to gather information about the challenges persons affected are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. This report details these challenges and concerns, covering access to health care, access to fundamental goods, access to government support, access to stable livelihoods, access to information about COVID-19, and the impact of intersecting vulnerabilities on the resiliency of persons affected.

In addition to the report, this document includes recommendations of specific actions NGO and government leaders can take to address the needs and challenges of persons affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. The final section of the report is an open letter on COVID-19 and leprosy addressed to UN Member States from UN Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members, Alice Cruz.

GPZL Reports on Research Priorities

Reports on GPZL’s research priorities submitted to Leprosy Review, published in the September 2019 issue.

Letter: Update on the Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL)

Letter to the Editor submitted to Leprosy Review, published in the September 2019 issue. This letter details the progress of the Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy and lays out the Partnership’s goals for the future.

Research Report: Diagnostics

The GPZL’s Research Agenda Working Group analyzed current research and developed priorities in several key areas that could accelerate progress towards zero leprosy. Download the report on diagnostics here.

Research Report: Vaccines

The GPZL’s Research Agenda Working Group analyzed current research and developed priorities in several key areas that could accelerate progress towards zero leprosy. Download the report on vaccines here.

Research Report: Stigma

The GPZL’s Research Agenda Working Group analyzed current research and developed priorities in several key areas that could accelerate progress towards zero leprosy. Download the report on stigma here.

Research Report: Operational Research

The GPZL’s Research Agenda Working Group analyzed current research and developed priorities in several key areas that could accelerate progress towards zero leprosy. Download the report on operational research here.

Research Report: Epidemiologic Modeling

The GPZL’s Research Agenda Working Group analyzed current research and developed priorities in several key areas that could accelerate progress towards zero leprosy. Download the report on epidemiologic modeling here.

Research Report: Disability

The GPZL’s Research Agenda Working Group analyzed current research and developed priorities in several key areas that could accelerate progress towards zero leprosy. Download the report on disability here.