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Long time due: reducing tuberculosis mortality in the 21st century
Timothy F Brewer1, S Jody Heymann
1Department of Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA. tbrewer@mah.harvard.edu
Archives of Medical Research
|October 12, 2005
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) caused more deaths in the 20th century than influenza and HIV combined. A global initiative is needed to make TB treatment and prevention universally accessible, aiming to eliminate TB mortality.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Despite influenza and AIDS pandemics, tuberculosis (TB) has been a persistent, deadly disease throughout the 20th century.
- TB has caused more global deaths than influenza and HIV combined over the last 100 years.
- Millions die annually from TB, with projections of 50-70 million deaths between 1998 and 2020.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significant mortality burden of tuberculosis (TB).
- To advocate for a global commitment to eliminate TB deaths.
- To outline essential components for a successful TB control program.
Main Methods:
- The article reviews historical pandemic data and TB mortality statistics.
- It analyzes projected TB death tolls under various control conditions.
- It proposes a global initiative framework for TB elimination.
Main Results:
- TB has been a silent, steady killer, responsible for immense mortality.
- Current control measures are insufficient, leading to millions of preventable deaths.
- Optimal conditions could significantly reduce TB mortality.
Conclusions:
- A concerted global effort is urgently required to eliminate tuberculosis mortality.
- Universal access to TB treatment and prevention, alongside addressing HIV/TB interactions, is crucial.
- Initiatives like the proposed 5x7 program are vital first steps toward TB eradication.