World Tuberculosis Day
March 24, 2015
Every year on March 24th, we recognize World Tuberculosis (TB) Day to raise awareness of TB in Canada and around the world. TB is preventable and curable, yet it remains one of the most common infectious diseases worldwide. In 2013, there were an estimated 9 million cases of TB and 1.5 million TB-related deaths worldwide.
Although rates are significantly lower in Canada than other parts of the world, the Government of Canada recognizes that TB remains an important public health issue here at home, particularly for some Aboriginal communities and for individuals coming to Canada from countries where TB is common.
The Government of Canada works with communities, provinces and territories, researchers and other experts to raise awareness and to decrease stigma and fear associated with TB. Additionally, Health Canada’s National TB Program promotes access to equitable, culturally appropriate and timely diagnosis, treatment, follow-up care and health promotion activities through regional tuberculosis programs for First Nations communities.
The Public Health Agency of Canada helps to provide a clearer picture of TB in Canada, collecting surveillance data across the country and sharing results with the provinces and territories to improve the effectiveness of TB prevention and management programs. In advance of World TB Day, the Agency released Tuberculosis in Canada 2013 – Pre-releasewhich provides the provisional reported rates of TB in Canada.
Modern medicine can treat and cure active TB, but research remains a vital tool to help us address underlying risk factors. Since 2006, through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Government of Canada has invested over $41 million in tuberculosis-related research.
Together, these activities continue to advance Canada’s efforts globally and domestically, bringing us one step closer to meeting our target of eliminating TB by 2050. On World TB Day, I would like to thank all partners across the country for their ongoing efforts to end this disease. I would also encourage all Canadians to learn more about what they can do to protect themselves against TB. With all of us working together, I am confident that one day TB will be eliminated.
The Honourable Rona Ambrose
Minister of Health
NT4
