ATS commends President Obama for release of National Action Plan to combat TB

The American Thoracic Society applauds President Barack Obama and the Administration for the release of the National Action Plan to Combat Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (TB) today.

ATS TB experts played an active role in helping the administration reach its decision, emphasizing the need for increased funding for domestic and global TB control and research programs.

In October, the WHO reported that TB deaths have now surpassed HIV/AIDS deaths, making TB the leading global infectious disease killer. The continued spread of drug resistant TB, which is more complicated and expensive to treat, is a serious global health problem that requires urgent action.

"The ATS welcomes the release of the National Action Plan to Combat Drug Resistant TB," says ATS President Atul Malhotra, MD. "Drug resistant TB, a dangerous strain that we are all vulnerable to because it is an airborne disease, is one of the top global health challenges, and it requires urgent action and commitment from governments around the world. This plan provides a strong framework to guide U.S. government efforts through the USAID, CDC, NIH and other agencies to respond to drug resistant TB, including the development of new diagnosis, treatment, and prevention tools to fight this disease.

"The ATS urges the Administration and Congress to allocate the funding needed to implement this important global health plan beginning in fiscal year 2017, and we pledge to work with them to accomplish this."

Source: American Thoracic Society