World Tuberculosis Day, observed March 24, is an opportunity to unite against the world’s leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. The disease also disrupts people’s productivity and increases their risk of falling into poverty. The key to stopping the spread of tuberculosis (TB) is detecting it. Left untreated, a person with TB can infect up to 15 people per year.

The U.S. Government is committed to forging a world free from TB. At the core of this vision is a deep commitment to work with global partners to reach every person with TB, cure those in need of treatment, and prevent the spread of disease and new infections. The momentum to end this disease is particularly significant this year as we look toward the U.N. High-level Meeting on TB in September.

Every day, TB sickens 35,000 and claims the lives of 4,500 people. The global goal to end TB by 2030 is ambitious, but USAID, in partnership with the global TB community, is ready to make history and end TB. It’s a fight that we can win.

To find out more about USAID’s leadership in TB:

• Read USAID’s statement on World TB Day  
• Visit USAID’s World TB Day page to learn more about TB and see what our missions and partners are doing to commemorate the day
• Follow us on Twitter at @USAIDGH, and join the conversation using #WorldTBDay, #WorldTBDay2018 and #EndTB
• Watch our Facebook page for updates
• Explore our annual report [PDF, 4.8MB] to learn about the impact USAID is making in countries with the highest TB burdens
• Check out this musical message from USAID Southern Africa that illustrates the power of music and film to deliver lifesaving messages about TB
• Join us and the global TB community by adding the Red Arrow to your profile photos to show your support for ending TB

Photo credit: John Rae/The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.