Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the world’s leading infectious disease killers. Until the emergence of COVID-19, the bacterium that causes TB was described as, “the most destructive pathogen on the planet,” killing more than 4,300 people each day.2 Despite being preventable, treatable, and curable, this ancient disease continues to kill more people each year than HIV and malaria combined. While a wide range of evidence-based and scientific interventions have been developed to combat TB, due to continued underinvestment and low global prioritization (compared to other diseases), TB persists, resulting in close to 11 million TB cases and 1.6 million deaths annually.
USAID leads the U.S. Government’s global TB efforts. In cooperation with Ministries of Health, USAID provides bilateral assistance in 24 countries with high burdens of TB. In an additional 32 countries, the Agency provides targeted technical assistance to support the efficient and effective use of the U.S. Government’s investments in the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund). USAID works with stakeholders and partners around the world on the shared goals of reaching every person with the disease, curing those in need of treatment, and preventing both the spread of new infections and progression from infection to active TB disease. To achieve these goals, it is necessary to develop new tools and approaches through research and innovation, implement sound and impactful interventions, and strengthen the systems that utilize these advances to be both resilient and sustainable.
