Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) encompass a multitude of diseases including parasitic, viral and bacterial infections. NTDs differ from other tropical diseases, such as Malaria, because there is a significant absence of investment in active disease surveillance, lack of available healthcare services and a low involvement by local, state and federal public health agencies. NTDs disproportionately affect developing countries, where access to health care is poor. However, NTDs are also present in areas with high rates of poverty in the United States. NTDs can diminish quality of life and socioeconomic opportunities; as a result, these diseases reinforce the cycle of poverty among already disadvantaged populations.