Tuberculosis elimination revisited: obstacles, opportunities, and a renewed commitment. Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis (ACET)

Abstract

In 1989, CDC and the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis (ACET) issued A Strategic Plan for the Elimination of Tuberculosis in the United States. Since then, the United States has experienced a resurgence of tuberculosis (TB) followed by a successful mobilization against the epidemic. Because the nature of this disease has changed during the past decade, ACET has reassessed its 1989 plan. Recent progress against TB should reinforce the nation's confidence that the disease can be controlled and ultimately eliminated. However, existing TB-control efforts must be sustained and enhanced, and new and improved diagnostic, treatment, and prevention methods, including a new vaccine, must be developed and applied. Support for these efforts should be broad-based and include the establishment of new partnerships. Because eliminating TB in the United States will have widespread economic, public health, and social benefits, committing to this action will also fulfill an obligation to persons throughout the world who have this preventable and curable disease. With this reassessment, ACET reaffirms its call for the elimination of TB in the United States.