CDC Features

CDC Features

World TB Day: Partnerships for TB Elimination

Photo: People holging hand cut from a map

World TB Day is March 24. This annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of M. tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB). Among infectious diseases, TB remains a leading killer of adults, with an estimated 1.7 million TB-related deaths worldwide in 2006.

"Just as TB knows few boundaries, we must not be constrained in reaching across organizational, cultural and other boundaries to work with others who are affected by TB. All partners are valuable partners, no matter how small their contributions, because it is only the accumulation of many efforts in many places that will end this ancient scourge."

(Director, national advocacy organization for the homeless)

Many people think that TB is a disease of the past — an illness that no longer threatens us today. One reason for this belief is that, in the United States, we are at an all-time low in the number of persons diagnosed with active TB disease. That very success makes us vulnerable to complacency and neglect. But it also gives us an opportunity to eliminate TB in this country. Now is the time to take action, beyond our current efforts, to ensure that we reach the goal of TB elimination.

Importance of TB Partnerships

Building and strengthening partnerships is one of the actions we can take to eliminate TB. This country's progress in controlling TB will not be sustainable without strengthened collaborations with local, state, national, and international partners. CDC and its domestic and international partners, including the National TB Controllers Association, Stop TB USA, and the global Stop TB Partnership, are taking many steps to prevent further spread of TB and to reduce the overall burden of the disease. Efforts range from developing new treatment regimens and increasing the capacity of health professionals to provide adequate treatment to issuing a plan for combating extensively drug-resistant TB.

What Can You Do?

Learn about TB. Because many people are not aware of the impact of TB, local TB coalitions in many states and countries are convening educational and awareness activities related to World TB Day. Look to see how you can learn more and get involved.
- World TB Day 2009 — Activities
Send a World TB Day e-Card to someone you know to increase awareness of this important day.

Until TB is eliminated, World TB Day won't be a celebration. But it is a valuable opportunity to educate the public about the devastation of TB and how it can be stopped.