Most Nations Off Track to Meet 2030 Skin NTD SDG Targets: Report
Key Takeaways
Global progress toward the 2030 target of a 75% reduction in DALYs from skin-related neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) is largely off track, according to a new report published in JAMA Dermatology.
Eleven countries are projected to meet the SDG target for at least 1 skin NTD, with marked regional disparities.
Higher government health spending as a share of total health expenditure was associated with better progress, while vulnerable populations showed divergent trends.
A new report in JAMA Dermatology revealed that most countries are unlikely to achieve the World Health Organization (WHO) target of a 75% reduction in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) from skin-related neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) from 2020 levels.
Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Foresight Visualization study, the authors analyzed DALYs for 6 skin-related NTDs (cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, fungal skin diseases, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, and scabies) The general population (plus school-aged children and women of childbearing age) were evaluated. Data were collected between December 2024 and August 2025.
The report projects that DALYs will increase between 2020 and 2030 for cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, fungal skin diseases, scabies, and onchocerciasis, while decreasing for lymphatic filariasis and leprosy. Just 11 countries are expected to meet the SDG target for at least 1 skin-related NTD. To quantify national progress, the authors developed a Skin NTDs SDG Index, showing the highest projected gains in Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. The lowest projected gainse were in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Government health spending as a proportion of total health expenditure was a key factor associated with improved progress. The COVID-19 pandemic was also associated with heterogeneous short- and long-term effects afor all conditions. DALYs declined in school-aged children across all study groups, but increased in women of childbearing age.
"In this study, the progress toward attaining the skin-related NTDs sustainable development goal targets has been largely insufficient," the authors wrote. "Regional inequalities, influenced by health spending levels, the COVID-19 pandemic, and vulnerable group disparities, pose major challenges. Targeted action and sustained health investment are urgently needed."
Source: Cao X, et al. JAMA Dermatology. 2026. Doi:0.1001/jamadermatol.2025.6135