Abstract

PIP: The phenomenal success public health officials enjoyed in controlling tuberculosis (TB) in developed countries has not been mirrored in developing countries, where TB still accounts for 25% of preventable deaths in adults. The fact that there are 8 million new cases each year (95% in developing countries) and 3 million deaths (98% in developing countries) led to the 1993 declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) that TB poses a global emergency. Because TB is predominantly a disease of impoverished people, indifference has led to the fallacious and naive view that eradication of TB simply requires socioeconomic development. In response to this indifference, the WHO is promoting a "Stop TB--Use DOTS" campaign. DOTS, a strategy based on directly observed therapy, also requires government commitment, a regular supply of drugs, effective diagnoses, and an audit of the efficacy of the strategy. While the treatment of TB is among the most cost-effective of all medical interventions in terms of years of healthy life saved, the DOTS campaign requires a considerable dedication of funds. Renewed interest in TB is leading the US and the UK to increase support for control programs. In addition, a new UK-based charity, "TB Alert," hopes to play a major role in advocating for political commitment to and funding for TB control.