Purpose: Each year, we commemorate World Tuberculosis Day on March 24 to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been working with countries to strengthen drug resistance surveillance since the early 1990s. Data collated represents 99% of the world's population and people with TB. Through research and innovation, WHO works to accelerate development of rapid diagnostics and treatments for drug-resistant TB. Diagnosing multi-drug-resistant and other resistant forms of TB as well as HIV-associated TB can be complex and expensive.
FORUM: 'Yes! We can end TB!' World Tuberculosis Day 2024. The theme of World TB Day 2024 - ‘Yes! We can end TB!’ – conveys a message of hope that getting back-on-track to turn the tide against the TB epidemic is possible through high level leadership, increased investments and faster uptake of new WHO recommendations. Following the commitments made by Heads of State at the UN High Level meeting in 2023 to accelerate progress to end TB, this year's focus shifts to turning these commitments into tangible actions. To help countries scale-up access to TB preventive treatment, WHO will release an investment case on scaling up the roll out of TB preventive treatment.The day will inspire hope and encourage high-level leadership, increased investments, faster uptake of new WHO recommendations, adoption of innovations, accelerated action, and multi-sector collaboration to combat the TB epidemic. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #WorldTBDay, #24Marh, #YesWecanEndTB, #Tuberculosis.
EVENTS: The World Health Organization (WHO) will commemorate the World Tuberculosis Day 2024 on Sunday March 24rd to urge countries to ramp up progress in the lead-up to the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB. The WHO will also issue a call to action with partners urging Member States to accelerate the roll-out of the new WHO-recommended shorter all-oral treatment regimens for drug-resistant TB. This year is critical, with opportunities to raise visibility and political commitment at the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB.
ONLINE TALK SHOW: You are invited to participate on March 19th 2024, from 14:30 – 17:00 CET to the World TB Day 2024: Online Talk Show. The World Health Organization will use this occasion to urge investments for the scale up of tuberculosis screening and preventive treatment.
STATEMENT: Statement by Dr. Tedros; Director of the World Health Organization on behalf the World TB Day 2024; March 24th and the Statement by Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director, WHO Global TB Programme on the world TB Day 2024; March 24th.
PODCASTS: People with drug-resistant TB face significant economic and social costs and only 1 in 3 access quality care. Reaching the missing patients remains a significant public health challenge. To address this, WHO reviews the latest evidence to set norms and standards for the diagnosis and care of drug-resistant TB. WHO works with countries, partners and civil society to expand rapid molecular diagnosis to detect drug-resistance, and to increase access to better and more effective treatments. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Since 2000, an estimated 66 million lives were saved through TB diagnosis and treatment. Contribute to the next generation of TB treatments. Explore the World TB Day 2024: Advocacy and Communication Toolkit. Download the poster,banner and postcards. Get the communication materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED!
PARTNERSHIPS
The World TB Day is observed annually on March 24rd to raise awareness about TB and efforts to end the global epidemic, marking the day in 1882 when the bacterium causing TB was discovered.
Develop concerted action to End TB.
Tackle health inequities to ensure health for all.
Mobilize political and social commitment to ramp up progress against these ancient diseases.
Urgent investment of resources, support, care and information are vital to ensure universal access to TB care for research.
The World Tuberculosis Day is co-organized by the World Health Organization, the WHO Europe, the WHO African Regional Office, the WHO SEARO, WHO EMRO, WHO WPRO, WHO/PAHO. With the participation of the TB Alliance, The Global Fund, the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
A comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the TB epidemic, and of progress in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease at global, regional and country levels.
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More investment will save millions more lives, accelerating the end of the TB epidemic. Preventing Tuberculosis. TB is a treatable and curable disease. Active, drug-susceptible TB disease is treated with a standard 6-month course of 4 antimicrobial drugs that are provided with information and support to the patient by a health worker or trained volunteer. Without such support, treatment adherence is more difficult.