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.