17 Mar March 24 Is World Tuberculosis Day
Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially serious infectious bacterial disease that mainly affects the lungs. It remains a deadly disease throughout the world, particularly in developing countries, accounting for 1.5 million deaths per year. It is the leading infectious cause of death worldwide. Every year on March 24, health organizations around the world work to raise awareness of this disease that remains an epidemic on our planet, despite Dr. Robert Koch’s discovery in 1882 of the cause of the disease, the TB bacillus.
One organization putting forth a unique public education effort is the Stop TB Partnership, which has published a compendium of survivor stories featuring the personal journeys of 15 individuals who contracted TB and, unlike many, were able to recover from the disease. TB Journeys: Our stories, Our Words is a poignant look at this journey of resilience and strength.
To access this beautifully illustrated digital presentation of the compelling stories of TB survivors from all over the world (Bolivia, Swaziland, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Kenya, India, South Africa, and more), click here.
On December 22, 2015, the White House launched the National Action Plan for Combating Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (“the action plan”), and called on both domestic and global partners to take real action against multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB). Learn more at the Stop TB Partnership.
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