News

New WLF report on TB in Eastern Europe

January 2007

The World Lung Foundation is pleased to announce the publication of a new report on TB in Roma (Gypsy) communities – Confronting a Hidden Disease: TB in Roma communities. The report outlines available data and programs relating to TB control in Roma communities. The resulting document aims to bring research needs and program opportunities to the attention of international agencies; national TB programs, governmental ministries, and non-governmental organizations.

Confronting a Hidden Disease: TB in Roma Communities concludes that, because they are disproportionately poor and suffer from ethnically-based discrimination, Roma probably account for a higher percentage of TB cases in Europe than their population size would suggest. They face particular economic, geographic, socio-economic, and health-system related barriers in obtaining TB diagnosis and in completing treatment.

"We are proud to contribute this report to ongoing policy discussions about how to improve TB control in Europe," said World Lung Foundation Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Myatt. "Our research highlights the particular challenges for one excluded ethnic group, but it also points to the need for greater political commitment to reaching all of the most poor and vulnerable. In keeping with the Global Plan to Fight TB 2006-2015, TB programs should empower people affected by TB, and mobilize communities. Effectively engaging these key partners will help Europe to meet the Millennium Development Goal of decreasing TB prevalence and mortality."

Indeed, Eastern Europe is not on track to meet the TB-related Millennium Development Goals. Despite its relative wealth, Europe has TB case detection and treatment completion rates similar to those in sub-Saharan Africa. Only about 46% of those with the most infectious TB are even diagnosed. Of these, 75% successfully complete treatment. Many enrolled in treatment die; the European region has the second highest rate of death as a treatment outcome in the world. (Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest). Europe also has the highest rate of TB treatment default.

Mario Raviglione, Director of WHO's Stop TB Department and member of the board of the World Lung Foundation, emphasized that meeting the needs of the vulnerable is germane to improving TB control programs in Europe. He said: "This report demonstrates that many members of Europe's Roma minority are more vulnerable to TB disease, to delayed diagnosis, and to treatment complications. Universal access to high-quality diagnosis and patient-centered treatments is a core objective of WHO's Stop TB Strategy and its full implementation, together with the actions outlined in the Global Plan to Stop TB, will ensure good health care is a right, and not determined by wealth, position or location."

Download the report.

Report research and publication were supported by the Open Society Institute's Public Health Programs.