Turning the tide against tuberculosis

Abstract

The history of tuberculosis is one of scientific medical and political failure. Although modern short-course treatment for tuberculosis is among the most effective and inexpensive of treatments for life-threatening diseases tuberculosis remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. When WHO declared tuberculosis a global emergency in 1993 the initial response from the international community was slow and inadequate. However the ensuing resurgence of tuberculosis which continues to kill nearly 2 million people each year the emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and the devastating effect of the HIV epidemic on control programmes in Africa has forced the international community to unite in a more synchronised and effective way. World TB Day is commemorated on March 24 each year and presents an opportunity to review progress in tuberculosis treatment and control the lessons that have been learnt and the challenges remaining in bringing the disease under control. To coincide with World TB Day 2006 we have put together in this issue a series of short essays written by experts from all over the world which analyse areas of global importance and raise awareness of existing research and programmatic developments and needs for the future. (excerpt)