Former New York Times reporter Daisy Hernandez’s aunt died from Chagas disease after being repeatedly misdiagnosed – as happens to thousands of people in the Americas, the only region where the deadly insect, the “kissing bug”, lives. UK-based explorer Pip Stewart contracted the flesh-eating disease leishmaniasis on an expedition to Guyana, which led to weeks in hospital to receive a toxic and painful treatment – the only one available. Both authors discussed the inherent injustice in the treatment of these neglected diseases – where geography, income, and race determine who gets treatment or not.
An event moderated by Emmy Award winning journalist and author, Dr Seema Yasmin, Director of the Stanford Health Communication Initiative and clinical assistant professor of medicine at Stanford University, who discussed the first-hand challenges of facing infection with a neglected disease – and what can be done for the millions of patients who deserve better. Introduced by Rachel Cohen, Regional Executive Director of DNDi in North America.
