I am of the age to remember getting chest x-rays in elementary school in Vancouver to screen if I had or carried tuberculosis. Luckily, my tests were always negative.

On March 24, millions around the globe came together to commemorate World TB Day.

The theme of World TB Day 2024 was “Yes! We can end TB!”

It conveyed a message of hope of getting back-on-track to turn the tide against the TB epidemic.

Victoria’s buildings and monuments joined those across Canada and around the world, lighting up in red to amplify awareness about TB and reach many of those who would remain unaware of the disastrous effects of the world’s number one infectious killer.

In Victoria, prominent landmarks were lit with red lights on March 24.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious killer disease and has existed for millennia.

It most often affects the lungs and is caused by a type of bacteria.

Every year, 10 million people fall ill with TB, including in Canada’s North.

It spreads through the air when infected people cough, sneeze or spit.

Tuberculosis is preventable and curable, yet every three minutes, one child dies of TB.

The burden of TB on children is particularly heart-wrenching. That’s not only because of the sheer difficulty in diagnosing and treating the disease in this age group but also due to the severe, long-term consequences it can entail.

The World Health Organization reports:

• A total of 1.3 million people died from TB in 2022 (including 167,000 people with HIV).

• Worldwide, TB is the second-leading infectious killer after COVID-19 (above HIV and AIDS).

• In 2022, an estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with tuberculosis (TB) worldwide, including 5.8 million men, 3.5 million women and 1.3 million children.

TB is present in all countries and age groups. TB is curable and preventable.

• Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a public health crisis and a health security threat. Only about two in five people with drug-resistant TB accessed treatment in 2022.

• Global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 75 million lives since the year 2000.

• US $13 billion is needed annually for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care to achieve the global target agreed at the 2018 UN high level- meeting on TB.

• Ending the TB epidemic by 2030 is among the health targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ending the TB epidemic is a target under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that requires countries to strengthen their health coverage and social sectors, implementing a mix of biomedical, public health target and socioeconomic interventions along with research and innovation.

To take action, go to [https://resultscanada.ca/campaign/campaign-2/ #LightUpforTB](https://resultscanada.ca/campaign/campaign-2/ #LightUpforTB)

Anita Mark
Saanichton, B.C.