World TB Day

Each year, World TB Day (WTBD) is observed to commemorate the discovery of the bacillus that causes tuberculosis. On this day around the world, people who are affected by and work with tuberculosis come together to discuss their work and support the worldwide TB control efforts.

Respiratory Health Association and the Metropolitan Chicago Tuberculosis Coalition (MCTC) hosted WTBD 2011, a full-day educational event, at Malcolm X College in Chicago on March 24, 2011. The event was comprised of networking, technical and epidemiologic presentations, a community health symposium and a panel with various shelter-related TB constituents.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Sundari Mase, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additional, scientific talks included "Results of QFT" and "Comparing Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests for Detection of TB in Sputum".

Dr. Timothy Aksamit, Mayo Clinic, led the Community Health Symposium, which gave participants the opportunity to convene and discuss priorities, needs, resources and action plans pertaining to TB awareness and prevention at the community level; the topics covered included Collaboration/Stakeholders, Media, Outreach, Education/Training and Linkages.

View photos from World TB Day 2010 in our photo gallery.

For more information, contact the Metropolitan Chicago Tuberculosis Coalition line:
(312) 628-0252