An Opportunity to END TB: Using the Sustainable Development Goals for Action on Socio-Economic Determinants of TB in High Burden Countries in WHO South-East Asia and the Western Pacific Regions

Abstract

The progress towards ending tuberculosis (TB) by 2035 is less than expected in 11 high TB burden countries in the World Health Organization South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions. Along with enhancing measures aimed at achieving universal access to quality-assured diagnosis, treatment and prevention services, massive efforts are needed to mitigate the prevalence of health-related risk factors, preferably through broader actions on the determinants of the “exposure-infection-disease-adverse outcome” spectrum. The aim of this manuscript is to describe the major socio-economic determinants of TB and to discuss how there are opportunities to address these determinants in an englobing manner under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework. The national TB programs must identify stakeholders working on the other SDGs, develop mechanisms to collaborate with them and facilitate action on social-economic determinants in high TB burden geographical areas. Research (to determine the optimal mechanisms and impact of such collaborations) must be an integral part of this effort. We call upon stakeholders involved in achieving the SDGs and End TB targets to recognize that all goals are highly interlinked, and they need to combine and complement each other’s efforts to end TB and the determinants behind this disease.

Prevalence and associated factors of tuberculosis among isoniazid users and non-users of HIV patients in Dessie, Ethiopia

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Epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with pneumoconiosis based on its social determinants and risk factors in China: a cross-sectional study from 27 provinces

“…The World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH) believes that health inequity caused by inequitable social status and resource allocation is fundamental to social determinants affecting society's health status [12] . PTB has the “exposure–infection–disease–adverse outcome” spectrum and should be monitored for social determinants and risk factors [13] . There is still a lack of reports for pneumoconiosis complicated with PTB based on the CSDH framework in China.…”

A study to critically analyze Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program norms implementation at a medical college-level facility

“…People with active TB can infect 10-15 other people through close contact over a year. 1 Globally, about 10 million people developed TB in 2018. The annual TB incidence rate ranged from <5 to 500 with a global average of 130 people/100,000 population.…”

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