Lymphatic Filariasis Support Centre, The Task Force for Child Survival and Development, United States of America

Created in 1998, the Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) Support Center is based at The Task Force for Child Survival and Development at Emory University. The mission of the LF Support Center is to provide and coordinate technical assistance and problem-solving research necessary to ensure a strong scientific base for the massive global public health effort currently underway to eliminate LF.

In this capacity, the LFSC currently serves on behalf of the Global Alliance to Eliminate LF (GAELF) as the recipient and coordinator of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant entitled, “Resolving the Critical Challenges Now Facing the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis.” The specific goals of this project are carry out the operational research necessary to:

• Facilitate programmatic decision-making by identifying epidemiological and operational criteria that distinguish programs able to succeed in LF using Mass Drug Administration (MDA) alone from those requiring MDAs + s\other supplemental measures;
• Identify supplemental interventions that are most effective and cost-effective in facilitating interruption of LF transmission where current MDA strategies might not be sufficient or rapid enough
• Develop innovative financing strategies for countries (particularly in Africa) to build financially sustainable programs to achieve LF elimination

The LF Support Center coordinates its technical assistance and research with targeted advocacy and fund-raising activities, particularly linked with efforts of the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Disease Control (GNNTDC).

As a principal partner in the Global Alliance to Eliminate LF, the LF Support Center also provides vital resources and expertise on:

• economic research
• technical support for national programs
• monitoring and evaluation
• problem-solving research
• targeted training activities
• advocacy and fundraising