TB General Information

While U.S. tuberculosis cases have decreased overall in recent years, it is still a serious public health problem in some communities. Ten to 15 million people in this country are infected with tuberculosis. One in 10 of those currently infected – more than one million people – will eventually develop active tuberculosis and could spread it to others.

We cannot allow policymakers to relax now that tuberculosis rates are declining in this country. The numbers are dropping precisely because we have been investing in tuberculosis control. If this support erodes, we face an inevitable increase in tuberculosis cases. The next time around, re-establishing control is likely to be far more costly

Well-funded programs and a strong TB-control infrastructure will protect the U.S. against tuberculosis strains that resist traditional drug treatment. Drug-resistant tuberculosis is a huge problem in many parts of the world and has emerged in U.S. as well. Poorly funded, poorly managed programs will result in increased drug-resistant TB.

We’ve seen successes in fighting tuberculosis here and elsewhere around the world, but World TB Day is no time to celebrate. There is no victory to proclaim – yet. We must renew our commitment to eradicating this terrible disease. Through a strong partnership of public health advocates, government and international interests, we can and will win the war against tuberculosis.