[Paths to mainstreaming gender and intersectionality in neglected tropical disease programsCaminhos para a inclusão da perspectiva de gênero e interseccionalidade nos programas de doenças tropicais negligenciadas].

Neglected tropical diseases affect more than one billion people worldwide, over 55 million of whom are in the Region of the Americas. These conditions can cause long-term disability and death, and disproportionately affect populations living in poverty. It is well known that adopting the gender perspective and incorporating intersectionality in the development of health programs can help reduce inequities. Based on this idea, this article suggests specific actions for the mainstreaming of gender and intersectionality. These actions include the collection of disaggregated data, the implementation of affirmative actions and inclusive communication, intersectional gender analysis, capacity building for health care providers, mental health and stigma management, and the implementation of a human rights-based approach. Adoption of the gender perspective with an intersectional approach is not only advisable but essential to achieving comprehensive person- and community-centered health care. Integration must occur from the strategic level through to the local level, to elucidate and tackle the barriers that people face in accessing health care as a result of their axes of identity. Community participation should be encouraged and capacity built both within health services and in communities themselves.