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1, 2007No.
1, 2007
Dear Colleagues:
As we made the transition into a new year, we said goodbye to several friends
in the Division of Tuberculosis Elimination (DTBE), including Dr. Zach Taylor,
chief of the Field Services and Evaluation Branch. From 1993 through 2006 Zach
brought leadership, clear vision, and dedication to the mission of public health
to his work in DTBE, and he will be missed by his colleagues. We anticipate
announcing his position soon.
The 2006 Program Managers Course was held October 23–27, 2006, at the Sheraton
Colony Square Hotel in Atlanta. There
were approximately 45 people in attendance. Owing to the absence of Mr. Scott
McCoy, the course coordinator, the Communications, Education, and Behavioral
Studies Branch (CEBSB) pitched in to finalize arrangements for the course. As
in the past, the faculty did an outstanding job of developing and presenting
their sessions. Thanks to all involved for your hard work.
From October 31 through November 4, 2006, a small number of DTBE staff attended the
37th World Conference on Lung Health in Paris, France,
sponsored by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (IUATLD). The
theme was “Strengthening Human Resources for Better Lung Health.” About 2100
persons attended this year’s conference, representing 125 countries from all
over the world. The Union is already starting preparations for the 38th
Conference on Lung Health, to be held in Cape
Town, South Africa, November
8–12, 2007. The theme will be “Confronting the Challenges of HIV and MDR in TB Prevention and Care.”
World TB Day is observed on March 24 each year. The March 24 date commemorates
the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced to the scientific community that
he had discovered the cause of tuberculosis, the TB bacillus. This day is observed
not only to note the gains that have been made, but also to build public awareness
that TB today remains an epidemic in much of the world, causing the deaths of
almost 2 million people each year, mostly in developing or resource-poor countries.
The theme for World TB Day 2007, TB Anywhere Is TB Everywhere, conveys
a message of urgency and shared responsibility; it reminds us that although
TB is preventable and curable, it remains a global emergency. I encourage you
to be part of this important process by planning activities for World TB Day,
such as conducting public events, organizing symposia or lectures, or arranging
media coverage (e.g., press conferences; radio or television spots). DTBE staff
members here in Atlanta are working
with the National TB Controllers Association to plan a “2007 TB Awareness Walk”
for World TB Day. This walk is being held to raise awareness about the continuing
challenge of TB rather than to raise funds, and its organizers are having t-shirts
printed up and inviting distinguished guest speakers to the event. Please visit
the TB Awareness Walk
website
for more information. If you will be observing World TB Day in your area, please
send an e-mail to Ms. Holly Wilson at HWilson@cdc.gov
describing your plans. You can also visit the
DTBE
World TB Day webpage for additional information and educational materials.
In this time of reduced resources, it is especially critical to talk to partners,
policymakers, and the general public about the need to prevent, control, and
eventually eliminate this disease.
The following important meetings were recently held or are coming up this year:
the 11th Annual Conference of the North American Region of the IUATLD, which
had the theme “Powering Up Political Will for TB Control,” was held February
22–24, 2007, at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel in Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada.
In addition, the National Coalition for the Elimination of TB convened a Partners
Strategy Planning meeting on February 21, and a STOP TB Canada meeting and TB
Nursing Assembly meeting were both held on February 22, before the opening of
the IUATLD meeting. As noted previously, this year’s National TB Controllers
Workshop has been scheduled for June 11–14, 2007, here in Atlanta. In addition, the dates for the 2007 TB Education and Training
Network Conference have been set for August 7–9, 2007; it also will be held
here in Atlanta. Please mark your calendars
for these events. We will provide updates as they become available.
Kenneth G. Castro, MD |
