The World Health Organization is releasing the 2018 edition of its Global Tuberculosis Report, on 18 September. The report provides a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the TB epidemic, and progress in the response, at global, regional and country levels. The report features data on disease trends and the response to the epidemic in 205 countries and territories. This includes trends in TB mortality, data on case detection and treatment results for TB, multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), TB/HIV, TB prevention, Universal Health Coverage as well as financing. Also included is an overview of pipelines for new TB diagnostics, drugs and vaccines. Additionally, the report outlines a monitoring framework that features data on SDG indicators that can be used to identify key influences on the TB epidemic at national level and inform the multisectoral actions required to end the TB epidemic. Graphic country profiles with data from the top 30 high-TB-burden countries will also be released as part of the package.
TB remains the top infectious killer in the world claiming over 4000 lives a day. Actions and investments to end the epidemic fall far short, which is why Heads of State will meet at the first-ever United Nations General Assembly High-level Meeting on TB on 26 September in New York, to commit to accelerate the TB response. The press conference will discuss the implications of the new data on the upcoming UN High-Level Meeting.
WHO:
• Dr TEREZA KASAEVA – Director, Global TB Programme, WHO
• H.E. Mr. Koro Bessho, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
• Dr IRENE KOEK – Deputy Administrator for Global Health, US Agency for International Development (USAID)
• Ambassador ERIC GOOSBY – UN Special Envoy on Tuberculosis