Neglected tropical diseases and their relationship with the human development index in the Northern Region of Brazil

The study addresses Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), which are prevalent in regions with a low Human Development Index (HDI), such as the North of Brazil, due to poor sanitation and health conditions. These diseases include leprosy, chikungunya fever, schistosomiasis, among others, whose transmission often involves contaminated water and vectors such as mosquitoes. The analysis revealed that the average HDI of the North region in 2021 was 0.692, indicating significant socioeconomic vulnerability. Municipalities such as Melgaço, in Pará, exemplify this vulnerability with critical development indices and unfavorable socioeconomic conditions, contributing to the high incidence of these diseases. The lack of investment in basic infrastructure aggravates the situation, compromising the right to health and basic sanitation of the local population.