NTDs Youth is a youth-led group from Japan that focuses on the 21 groups of diseases defined by the WHO as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). NTDs affect 1.4 billion people worldwide and are widespread mainly in areas with many people living in poverty, such as rural parts of sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America.
Its vision is "Illuminate the Neglected." Its missions are to raise awareness, to cooperate with partners in Japan and abroad, centered on government, business and academia in Japan, and to accelerate contributions toward reducing the disease burden. Members include medical students, nursing students and working adults, and people can take part with or without prior experience.
As a member of the World NTD Day Japan Executive Committee, it holds the "Neglected Tropical Diseases Contest" for students in Japan, and is currently accepting entries for the fourth contest (entry deadline: October 31, 2026). It also runs "NTDs Youth Platform," an online platform that connects the voices of young people around the world.
Key points
- Youth-led activities by diverse members, including medical students, nursing students and working adults
- Efforts that go beyond awareness, including policy recommendations and participation in international meetings
- A contest open to students, plus recruitment of interns and regular members
Why this organization's work stands out
Many NTDs already have established prevention and treatment methods, yet progress is slow because of weak health systems and low priority. It is meaningful that young people are starting from "knowing" and "telling."
The group began in 2023 with three directors and has grown to make policy recommendations to officials such as the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare and to take part in international meetings, which shows what youth can do.
Editor's comment
Precisely because these are diseases we rarely hear about, it reminded me how important it is to start by learning about them.
Details of the contest and recruitment of interns and members are on the official website. Please take a look if you are interested.