World TB Day observed annually on March 24, amplifies the urgency of ending tuberculosis (TB) — the world’s deadliest infectious disease. TB continues to devastate millions globally, inflicting severe health, social, and economic consequences on individuals, communities and countries. This year’s theme, Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver, is a bold call for hope, urgency, and accountability.
Each day, over 3,400 people lose their lives to TB and close to 30,000 people fall ill with this preventable and curable disease. TB is the leading infectious cause of death and a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance. World TB Day is an opportunity to focus on the people affected by this disease and to call for accelerated action to end suffering and deaths associated with TB.
TB is a global problem, and defeating it requires a global response. TB disproportionately affects the most vulnerable people in communities: poverty, overcrowding, and lack of access to healthcare drive the spread of the disease, with people in low- and middle-income countries disproportionately impacted by TB. Around the world, healthcare professionals, advocates and communities are stepping up to fight TB at every level.
The Australian Respiratory Council (ARC) supports the call to action associated with World TB Day as a collective message of hope, urgency, and accountability – emphasising that TB elimination is achievable if actions are taken. With only five years left to achieve the global goal of ending TB by 2030, this year’s theme highlights the three essential pillars needed to accelerate progress towards this aspirational goal:
Commit: Reaffirm global leaders’ pledges to end TB by implementing actions, securing funding, and enacting national strategies and policies.
Invest: Highlight the necessity for increased funding to accelerate efforts to end TB by 2030. Advocate for diversified investment approaches to fund the TB response fully.
Deliver: Translate commitments and investments into tangible results benefiting those affected by TB. Focus on scaling up evidence-based interventions, early and accurate diagnosis, preventive treatment, and high-quality care for drug-resistant TB.
While these pledges represent a significant milestone, sustained and intensified action is critical. Scaling up interventions requires strong policies, comprehensive national strategies, bold collective and relentless efforts with substantial financial investment to drive impact at global, regional, and national levels.
For further information please go to the following websites:
https://www.stoptb.org/what-we-do/advocate-endtb/world-tb-day/world-tb-day-2025
https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-tb-day/2025
The World Health Organization (WHO) is organizing a talk show to commemorate World TB Day on 24 March 2025 at 13:30 CET. Connection details: https://who.zoom.us/j/96171266484
