The worldwide effort to control tuberculosis (TB) is failing. The ongoing spread of TB, including drug-resistant strains, presents a grave threat, especially to HIV-positive people in countries with high rates of both diseases.
HIV infection makes a person much more susceptible to TB disease, and it fuels the increase in TB cases, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, the spread of TB that is drug-resistant demonstrates the failure of established strategies for TB control. Due to the inadequacy of current TB diagnostic tools and treatments, as well as poor coordination of TB and HIV services, TB is the leading cause of death for HIV-positive people globally.
The Treatment Action Group’s TB/HIV Project works to strengthen global advocacy to improve research, programs, and policy for people with TB and HIV. The project works to:
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coordinate and provide leadership for the global network of TB/HIV advocates who are involved in TB/HIV policy advocacy through the Stop TB Partnership, an international body representing more than 400 governmental and nongovernmental institutions worldwide
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partner with the International Community of Women Living with HIV (ICW) East Africa, based in Uganda, to train African TB/HIV activists to participate effectively in decision-making at the local, national, and international levels, thus increasing political support and resources for research and implementation of collaborative TB/HIV services
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coordinate advocacy efforts to persuade US policy-makers and funders to triple the US investment in TB and TB/HIV control and research
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collaborate with other advocates to seek increased dialogue with product developers and researchers to stimulate the development of new mechanisms to improve and accelerate global TB research, while also helping infected and affected communities ensure that the research addresses their priorities