title: RRR for NNN-a rapid research response for the Neglected Tropical Disease NGDO Network: a novel framework to challenges faced by the global programs targeting neglected tropical diseases.
abstract: While global programs targeting the control or elimination of five of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)-lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, schistosomiasis and trachoma-are well underway, they still face many operational challenges. Because of the urgency of 2020 program targets, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the U.S. Agency for International Development devised a novel rapid research response (RRR) framework to engage national programs, researchers, implementers and WHO in a Coalition for Operational Research on NTDs. After 2 years, this effort has succeeded as an important basis for the research response to programmatic challenges facing NTD programs.
authors.affiliation: Neglected Tropical Diseases Support Center, Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, Georgia, USA ctoledo@taskforce.org.
authors.forename: Chelsea E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Toledo
authors.affiliation: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.affiliation: United States Agency for International Development, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
authors.forename: Emily C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Wainwright
authors.affiliation: Neglected Tropical Diseases Support Center, Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Eric A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Ottesen
authors.affiliation: Neglected Tropical Diseases Support Center, Task Force for Global Health, Decatur, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lammie
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D058069:Neglected Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014141:Trachoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014330:Tropical Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States
keywords: Disease elimination; Government financing; Non-governmental organizations; Operations research; Tropical medicine