Tuberculosis (TB) is a global infectious disease, found in every country of the world and in approximately one quarter of the world’s population. It is now the deadliest infectious disease, displacing COVID-19. Even though TB is a preventable, treatable and curable airborne infection, TB mortality rates increased in 2021 and rose again to 1.6 million deaths in 2022. It is also the leading cause of death among people living with HIV/AIDS. Moreover, the failure to diagnose and treat TB exacerbates multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, which remains a public health crisis and a threat to health, safety and the global economy.
Those living in extreme poverty also have greater exposure to health threats and are less likely to have access to care when they fall sick, especially as COVID-19 impacts already fragile health systems. The overlap in poverty and TB means that addressing TB will not only prevent more lives from being lost but also make a positive impact on global poverty reduction efforts.
Without a renewed focus on fighting TB, the global epidemic could erase decades of progress in global efforts to end both TB and HIV/AIDS, much of which has been achieved through U.S. investment. Urge Congress to support the End Tuberculosis Now Act in order to continue to combat TB around the world.