Speaking out for World TB Day
23
Today I spoke at a press conference titled “World TB Day- A Public Health Response to the Consequences of a Natural Disaster.” Across the world, in the coming days, public health professionals, governments and people affected by the disease will seek to increase awareness about TB.
Although rarely a problem for those living in the United States, Haiti, an island only 600 miles from our shores, grapples with this disease every year and this year in particular as it struggles to rebuild. We need to do everything we can to limit the impact the earthquake will have on the health of the Haitian people.
Some of you may know the statistics. They are sobering. More than two billion people, equal to one third of the world’s total population, are infected with the microbes that cause TB. One in every 10 of those people will become sick with active TB in his or her lifetime. In some areas of the world, one in four people with tuberculosis becomes ill with a form of the disease that can no longer be treated with standard drugs regimens. In total, 1.8 million people die from TB every year, equal to about 4800 deaths a day. Think about that number again. 1.8 million people. That is a terrible toll.
I was honored to stand with organizations such as the Medical Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Tuberculosis, RESULTS Boston and the Massachusetts Haitian American Task Force. These organizations are doing so much to fight this disease. When TB is eliminated it will be because of the consistent work of people like this. In the meantime, all levels of government in this country must continue to fund public health efforts.
