Mental health, social determinants and One Health in skin neglected tropical diseases (NTDs): A scoping review
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·
- DOI
- 10.1371/journal.pntd.0014034
- PMID
- 42561028
- PMCID
- —
- OpenAlex
- W7196926352
- Study type
- Journal article
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science (PLoS)
- Article type
- journal-article
- Integrity
- current
Why this research matters now
The synthesis underscores the necessity of adopting comprehensive, multi-sectoral strategies and community-engaged methodologies to strengthen disease control initiatives and address systemic vulnerabilities affecting affected populations.
Structured evidence summary
Research question
This scoping review examines how mental health considerations and One Health frameworks are currently integrated into programs addressing skin neglected tropical diseases, while assessing the influence of social determinants.
Study design
The authors conducted a scoping review by searching four peer-reviewed databases for literature linking skin NTDs, One Health, mental health, and social determinants, followed by descriptive thematic analysis.
Population and setting
Included studies were primarily quantitative research conducted in African regions, with a strong emphasis on cutaneous leishmaniasis cases.
Main findings
Analysis of twenty-two publications revealed that mental health impacts are frequently documented as secondary consequences like stigma and distress, often without standardized measurement tools. Integrated One Health strategies and cross-sectoral partnerships remain uncommon, and climate-related factors are seldom linked to outcomes. The review highlights a theoretical framework connecting these domains while noting gaps in understanding underlying mechanisms and socioeconomic drivers.
Public-health relevance
The synthesis underscores the necessity of adopting comprehensive, multi-sectoral strategies and community-engaged methodologies to strengthen disease control initiatives and address systemic vulnerabilities affecting affected populations.
Important limitations
The analysis was restricted to peer-reviewed articles, excluding grey literature and conference materials. The included body of work contains minimal interventional research, sparse application of validated mental health assessments, and insufficient data linking economic or climatic variables to disease outcomes.
GIDS interpretation
This publication provides contextual background on the intersection of psychological well-being, environmental factors, and socio-economic conditions within dermatological tropical disease management. Its indexing under climate, environment, and One Health topics may aid researchers tracking interdisciplinary policy developments rather than acute outbreak monitoring.
Related GIDS surveillance
Literature context does not validate, explain, or change a surveillance signal. Exact and contextual relationships are shown separately.
Evidence relationships
This article has 5 auditable classifier relationships to diseases, places, topics, and study design.