Importance of Treating Tuberculosis Worldwide

In 2016, 1.7 million people worldwide died of tuberculosis (TB). Most cases occur in more economically-challenged areas, but the ease with which people travel across continents increases risk in the U.S., as TB is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. U.S. citizens traveling abroad can become infected and bring TB back home. Just two years ago, students at two high schools in Rockland County were exposed to TB, and there were 30 diagnosed cases in Westchester in 2013. TB has declined in the U.S. over the years, but remains a risk.

To help people without access to health resources around the world, and to protect ourselves and our families against potential exposure, it’s important that the federal government continue investment in global TB treatment. 94% of TB cases can be treated with low-cost antibiotics -- six months of TB treatment costs only $20 -- but for many people that’s out of reach.

As Congress attempts to pass the 2019 federal budget, the House has allocated $302 million to the U.S. Agency for International Development’s TB account; the Senate has proposed $275 million.The difference between the House and Senate funding could prevent 17,000 tuberculosis deaths and help treat an estimated 1 million children with tuberculosis.

We are lucky to have our Congresswoman, Nita Lowey, advocating for more global health funding in her role as the Ranking Democrat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Hopefully our government will continue to address the scourge of TB, currently the world’s leading infectious killer.