Tuberculosis
1.7 million people die from tuberculosis every year (including 456,000 people who are also HIV-positive).
The Challenge
Tuberculosis is an airborne infectious disease that targets the world's most vulnerable people. In fact, 90% of all TB cases occur in the developing world. People with HIV/AIDS are especially susceptible to tuberculosis; a person is 20-37 times more likely to develop TB if she or he is HIV positive as well. Poor health systems and out-of-date technology seriously hinder efforts to stop the spread of TB and treat those who are infected. Moreover, the slow and sometimes patchy response to the disease has only exacerbated the challenge, as there are now new strains of TB resistant to currently available drugs.
The Opportunity
TB is treatable and in most endemic countries, medication is affordable, costing only $16 to $35 for a full course of treatment to cure TB. Successfully completing treatment requires a patient to adhere to a fairly strict daily regimen. The Directly Observed Therapy (DOTs) approach was pioneered in poor settings to help ensure adherence. Between 1995 and 2008, 36 million new and relaps cases of TB were treated with the DOTs approach. Despite this progress, much more must be done as the disease continues to outpace global efforts to fight it.
Learn more, read the full Tuberculosis Issue Brief...
Related Press Releases
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American Voices in Support of Saving Lives
As Congress makes difficult decisions regarding the United States budget, ONE members from across the U.S. are urging lawmakers to make careful choices, establish key priorities, and avoid drastic cuts to a tiny section of the budget that would save little, but cost millions of lives. MORE
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ONE Statement Regarding FY 2011 and FY 2012 Budgets
As Congress faces the tough job of restoring fiscal responsibility in Washington, we strongly urge Members to not turn their backs on the world's most vulnerable. We, along with our 2 million members, will vigorously make the case on their behalf. There is living proof across the world that less than 1% of the total federal budget has helped poor farmers learn to grow more food more efficiently, provided a lifeline to millions with HIV - including pregnant women whose babies can now be born HIV-free -- put millions of children under malaria-fighting bed nets by night and into schools by day, and strengthened America's friendships with millions of people, thus strengthening our own national security. Congress should reorder its priorities and continue America's lifesaving legacy. MORE
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ONE: Budget Cuts Would Have Profound Impact on U.S. Global Health and Development Efforts
Sheila Nix, U.S. Executive Director of ONE, the bipartisan anti-poverty advocacy group, issued the following statement on the impact of Congressional budget cuts to global health and development programs. MORE
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ONE Statement on Recent News Reports on the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Today, anti-poverty group ONE issued the following statement on recent news reports on the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria MORE
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ONE: U.S. Global Fund Commitment Solid, But Falls Short
Sheila Nix, U.S. Executive Director of the anti-poverty group ONE, issued the following statement regarding President Obama's announcement of a three-year commitment for FY 2011, 2012, 2013 of $4 billion MORE
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New Global Health Initiatives Bolster Smart Efforts Saving Lives in Africa
Anti-poverty group ONE welcomed two announcements today that will bolster smart efforts taking aim at preventable diseases in poor countries: an extra $1 billion in support of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and a new airline ticket program allowing airline customers to voluntarily contribute $2 each time they fly to help fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. MORE
Quick Facts
$16-35
Cost of a full six-month course of TB treatment in many endemic countries.
90% of TB cases
occur in the developing world.
A person with HIV is 20-37x
more likely to develop TB, compared to someone who doesn't have HIV.
Related Policy Analysis
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Issue Brief
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria -
DATA Report
DATA Report 2007: Health Chapter -
DATA Report
DATA Report 2008: Health Chapter -
Issue Brief
U.S. Funding for Global AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria PEPFAR and Beyond