Around the world, millions of people suffer from what are known as neglected infections of poverty. These diseases disproportionately affect impoverished and minority communities, where people may not have regular or easy access to good health care. Or they may thrive in crowded settings, where there is a lack appropriate sanitation.

Dr. Peter Hotez, a scientist at George Washington University who works to combat such diseases around the world, wrote about this topic in the journal Neglected Tropical Diseases. When he started looking into the issue at home, he was surprised to find pockets of such ignored diseases here in the U.S.

Hotez spoke with host Peggy Wehmeyer from a studio in Washington, DC.

Encore presentation from January 31, 2009.

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