Neglected Tropical Diseases Are Increasingly Common In Impoverished Areas Of U.S.: Sen. Booker Reintroduces A Bill To Help Eliminate Such Diseases Last week, Sen. Booker reintroduced a bill aimed at helping to eliminate what he calls “neglected diseases of poverty.” The Act would facilitate research in diagnostics and treatments, and improve disease surveillance systems and educational programs, as well as prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.