New initiative aims to end diseases caused by intestinal worms

The END Fund, a philanthropy dedicated to ending the five most common neglected tropical diseases, just announced a new initiative to fight a parasitic disease known as schistosomiasis as well as other conditions caused by intestinal worms in Africa. The organization is teaming up with TED’s Audacious Project to eliminate these diseases over the next six years. The initiative will involve deworming, and although medication is available, making sure that the drugs get to the 100 million people who are at risk people will be challenging, according to the END Fund. The initiative has already secured over $50 million in funding.