Cancun, Mexico – The UNION World Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Conference theme this year was ‘Poverty and Lung Health’ and to recognize this the global lung health community flew into the tropical resort town of Cancun to discuss the future of combating lung disease. Tuberculosis was hot on the agenda as usual and I was there to draw attention to the state of TB in Latin America, a region that is greatly neglected when it comes to health issues particularly TB. Nuestra Casa, an exhibition that looks at contributing factors to the growth of TB made its international debut here. The exhibition took the shape of an informal home found in Mexico and poverty stricken areas the world over. Incorporated into this environment were photographs and stories depicting TB, contributing factors, and in the Caminero del Espiranza (Passageway of Hope) a message to the viewers informing as to what is in their power to stop TB.

These conferences are always frantic and at the end of it I realized I hadn’t taken any pictures except for this one. Dr Nils Bilo (Director of the UNION) is being interviewed after walking through Nuestra Casa on the opening day of the conference. The exhibition caused quite a stir and raised many questions about TB and health care in Latin America (here it looks like Nils is thinking fast to come up with some quick answers!) It received a lot of media attention, as well as being the very first subject mentioned in the opening ceremony. Mexico is now on the TB map thanks to an incredible team of ACSM experts that I had the privilege to collaborate with. I hope I can follow up on this story shortly with successes in achieving Nuestra Casa’s ‘Call to Action’. Compliments must go to Project Concern International, United States and Mexico Border Health Association, Solucion TB and the TB Photovoice participants for all of their incredible efforts in making this a success.

TB Elimination Requires:

1. Increased visibility of persons affected by TB, their stories, lives, worries, concerns, vulnerabilities, and aspirations. This requires increasing visibility of the social, economic, and cultural determinants of TB in the context of poverty and disparities, and the human face of TB, beyond the mycobacterium and the medical treatment.  We believe that TB in and of itself does not kill the person. Rather, long-term disability and death is caused by the lack of access to timely and quality DOTS treatments, lack of humane support services, stigma, discrimination, and negligence. TB is preventable, treatable, and curable.

2. Inclusion, parity, and the participation of persons affected by TB across all levels of endeavors. The active participation of patients in the treatment and care decisions is essential for the elimination of TB. Patients require person-centered care that focuses on the individual and not just on the disease requiring the involvement of the patient’s support network.  Treatment for TB should not end with the 6, 9, 12, or 18+ months to complete medication. A commitment should be made to assist the person to re-establish their life beyond completion of TB. Representation of individuals and communities affected by TB must participate in funded information, education, and advocacy campaigns. Utilizing the wisdom of persons impacted by TB by appointment to TB advisory boards and committees at every level is imperative.

3. Sustainable and permanent lines of funding through efficient distribution mechanisms. Community based organizations and Non- Governmental Organizations need support to provide individual, group, and community interventions that strengthen the support systems of persons affected by TB.

Some interesting Facts:

*Someone in the world is newly infected with TB bacilli every second.

*Overall, one-third of the world’s population is currently infected with the TB bacillus.

*5-10% of people who are infected with TB bacilli (but who are not infected with HIV) become sick or infectious at some time during their life. People with HIV and TB infection are much more likely to develop TB.

Links:

Interview at UNION Conference –  http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DVZ8cKc1I__Y

Nuestra Casa –  www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DddguIAKNBDs

Solucion TB –  http://www.soluciontb.org

WHO TB stats –  http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs104/en/index.html