World TB Day Forum Address

World TB Day is March 24th
By
Romesh Anketell

Tuberculosis (TB), considered by many to be under control in the developed world, continues to be a public health threat as funding for treatment and public awareness dwindles.

"Justice will only exist where those not affected by injustice are filled with the same amount of indignation as those offended." Plato

Now what does this have to do with TB?

I believe it is an injustice that 5,000 people die every day of TB, a preventable disease. It is an injustice that individuals may be infected with TB and have their lives drastically and forever altered, all because they were never taught about TB.
It is an injustice that in the year 2008 in L.A. County, there are a large number of people who have no idea what TB is, despite the fact that it infects 1 out of every 3 people in the world. It is an injustice that individuals infected with TB are ostracized from their families and communities simply because TB is unknown or misunderstood.

And so it falls to us to bear this indignation and work on behalf of those affected by this injustice. We can do better when it comes to educating the public about TB, but it requires strong partnerships and a strong commitment from each of those partners to make it happen.

That is why we have formed the TB Coalition. The nature of TB is such that combating it requires a multi-directional approach. The TB Coalition is made up of many diverse organizations that work with groups at high risk of contracting and spreading TB. There is no one organization that alone can tackle TB. It requires more than even a small group of organizations.

A widespread grassroots effort is required. It ultimately requires each individual to take responsibility for themselves and then pass on their knowledge. It requires the efforts of Los Angeles TB Control but those efforts alone would be in vain unless they were coupled with strong partnerships with community organizations that have an extensive and personal reach with individuals in high risk communities.

While the efforts of public health experts are necessary to engage and inform community members, TB prevention cannot be truly effective if efforts only come from the top-down. The next step lies in effectively spreading the message, making our communities aware of TB risks and treatment options. TB Coalition member organizations like BREATHE LA play an important part in The Los Angeles Tuberculosis (TB) Coalition If you would like to join that effort, or learn more, contact me
Romesh Anketell
TB Coordinator, Breathe California of Los Angeles County (BREATHE LA)