World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day 2026
awarenessSaturday, January 30, 2027
137 days from today · next occurrence
About World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day
World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day shines a light on a group of around twenty bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections that disable, disfigure, and kill some of the world's poorest people. Conditions such as dengue, Chagas disease, leprosy, river blindness, rabies, and intestinal worms rarely make headlines, yet they affect more than a billion people across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
The World Health Organization designated January 30 as the day of awareness, aligning it with the anniversary of the landmark 2012 London Declaration, when partners pledged to control or eliminate ten neglected diseases. The day unites governments, pharmaceutical companies, and nonprofits that donate medicines and fund mass treatment campaigns.
Progress is real and measurable. Dozens of countries have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease in recent years. The observance calls for continued funding, stronger health systems, and the simple recognition that poverty should not decide who suffers.
When is World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day?
| Year | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | January 30, 2026 | Friday |
| 2027 | January 30, 2027 | Saturday |
| 2028 | January 30, 2028 | Sunday |
| 2029 | January 30, 2029 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | January 30, 2030 | Wednesday |
History of World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day
World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day is one of the newest global health observances. The World Health Organization formally designated January 30 in 2021, building on years of advocacy by a broad coalition of partners, including global health agencies, disease programs, and campaign networks. The date honors the London Declaration of January 30, 2012, when governments, development banks, private foundations, and major pharmaceutical companies committed to fighting ten neglected tropical diseases through drug donations and country-led programs. The 2021 designation also coincided with the launch of the WHO's new road map for 2021 to 2030, which sets concrete targets for preventing, controlling, and eliminating these infections. Since then the day has grown into a worldwide campaign marked by events, film screenings, and announcements of new elimination milestones.
How to Celebrate World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day
- Read about one neglected tropical disease and how it is prevented or treated.
- Share campaign materials from global health organizations to spread awareness online.
- Donate to organizations that fund deworming, blindness prevention, or vaccination programs.
- Watch a documentary or webinar featuring health workers in affected regions.
- Support policies and funding for global health programs in your country.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day?
- World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day falls every year on January 30, the anniversary of the 2012 London Declaration on neglected tropical diseases.
- Is World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day a public holiday?
- No. It is a World Health Organization awareness day, not a public holiday. Health ministries and partner organizations usually mark it with campaigns and events rather than a day off.
- How do people celebrate World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day?
- People celebrate the day by sharing awareness campaigns, attending webinars and community health events, donating to treatment programs, and celebrating countries that have eliminated a neglected disease.