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Professor John Gyapong Leads UHAS Team in Landmark NTD Review Published in Nature Human Behaviour

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June 12, 2025

Professor John Gyapong Leads UHAS Team in Landmark NTD Review Published in Nature Human Behaviour

HO, GHANA— A multidisciplinary research team led by Professor John Owusu Gyapong (Immediate Past Vice-Chancellor, University of Health and Allied Sciences) has published a groundbreaking paper titled “Current State and Future Directions of Interventions for Neglected Tropical Diseases” in Nature Human Behaviour on June 4, 2025. This is the first time a UHAS-affiliated team has appeared in this prestigious journal, underscoring the institution’s growing excellence in global health research.

Significance

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) continue to impose severe health, social, and economic burdens on millions in low-resource regions. In their new paper, Prof. Gyapong and colleagues review existing strategies—such as preventive chemotherapy, innovative disease management, vector control, and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene)—and argue that sustained political commitment, innovative financing, and integrated health-system approaches are essential to eradicate NTDs by 2030.

Key Findings

1. Behavior and Community Engagement

“Because human behaviour affects treatment adherence, health-seeking behaviour, and community participation, it is fundamental to the success of these interventions,” the authors write. Their analysis shows that genuine community involvement drives both sustainability and ownership of NTD programs at the local level.

2. Regional Disparities and Tailored Approaches

The paper highlights significant gaps in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, calling for context-specific strategies that address logistical barriers, funding constraints, donor dependency, stigma, and emerging drug resistance.

3. Future Directions

“Future directions for the global programme must prioritise funding and resource allocation, strengthened health systems, innovative research and development—including AI-driven diagnostics—integrated approaches, and community engagement and involvement (CEI) to sustain and accelerate progress in NTD control and elimination,” the authors conclude.

About the Research Team

  • Professor John Owusu Gyapong, Secretary-General of the African Research Universities Alliance; clinical epidemiologist and leading NTD expert

  • Mawuli Gohoho, Field Epidemiologist & Senior Public Health Officer for Disease Control and Surveillance, Jasikan Municipal Health Directorate

  • Dr. Alfred Kwesi Manyeh, Epidemiologist, Implementation Scientist & Director, Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases Research, Institute of Health Research (IHR), UHAS

  • Dr. Mustapha Immurana, Health Economist & Director, Centre for Health Policy and Implementation Research, IHR, UHAS

  • Professor Margaret Gyapong, Medical Anthropologist, Implementation Research Scientist & Immediate Past Director, IHR, UHAS

Excerpts from the Paper

“Additionally, the integration of NTD interventions with broader health systems is crucial for achieving long-term sustainability and health equity.”

“Because human behaviour affects treatment adherence, health-seeking behaviour, and community participation, it is fundamental to the success of these interventions.”

“Future directions for the global programme must prioritise funding and resource allocation, strengthened health systems, innovative research and development including AI-driven diagnostics, integrated approaches, and CEI to sustain and accelerate progress in NTD control and elimination.”

About UHAS

The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), founded in 2011 and located in Ho, Volta Region, Ghana, is the nation’s only state university fully dedicated to training healthcare professionals and advancing research that improves health and quality of life. UHAS offers interdisciplinary programmes across medicine, nursing, public health, allied health sciences, and health management, all anchored in community engagement and innovation. For more information, visit www.uhas.edu.gh

Media Contacts

Prof. John Owusu Gyapong (Corresponding Author)

Telephone: +233 20 630 1339

Email: [email protected]

Anthony Asempah

Director of Public Affairs, UHAS

Telephone: +233 506040609

Email: [email protected]

Download the Paper

The full article is available via DOI: 10.1038/s41562-025-02219-0

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-025-02219-0