We discuss the biogeographic and economical components of tropical diseases or of neglected diseases in general as defined by the WHO. Tropical diseases result from a conjunction of biological, ecological and evolutionary factors, which are determinant of their selective occurrence in the equatorial region between the Cancer and Capricorn tropics. We submit that indeed there is tropical fatality in that geographical distribution. However, the continued prevalence of Tropical Diseases in tropical countries basically results from their precarious economy and is an immediate consequence of the underdevelopment.
Neglected diseases; Topical diseases; Underdvelopment
