Stop TB Partnership

World AIDS Day 2011

The theme of this year's World Aids Day is "Getting to Zero". We know that we cannot get to Zero AIDS deaths without zero TB deaths among people living with HIV.

This year, we call on our partners to spread this message and take action to ensure that TB is not neglected in the quest for an AIDS-Free generation.

World AIDS Day statement from Lucica Ditiu, Executive Secretary of the Stop TB Partnership

We must have the money to scale up the fight against TB and HIV

World AIDS Day video statement from Jorge Sampaio, United Nations Special Envoy to Stop TB

Key messages

We won't get to zero AIDS deaths without zero TB deaths among people living with HIV

One in four deaths among people living with HIV is precipitated by TB. Let us not squander the huge investment the world has made in improving the lives of people living with HIV by losing them to TB, a curable illness.

We can save a million lives by 2015 with tools we have right now

We know how to stop deaths from TB among people living with HIV using tools available right now. All people with HIV need to be screened for TB and receive prompt TB treatment if needed. If they do not have TB, but live in a place where they are vulnerable to catching it, they should receive preventive treatment. By putting these strategies into practice, along with good HIV care, we could save a million lives by 2015.

We must not neglect TB in the quest for an AIDS-Free Generation

We welcome the recent call from the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, to create an AIDS-Free Generation in order to defeat the HIV/ AIDS epidemic. As we strive to achieve this goal, we must not neglect TB and TB/HIV co-infection. TB is the leading killer of people living with HIV. TB is particularly devastating in Africa and affects many millions of people all around the world. The US has made important contributions in the effort to address the TB/HIV pandemic, through expanded access to antiretroviral treatment and other interventions. We welcome even greater US and other development partner action in this area while also pledging our renewed efforts to prevent and treat TB.

Scale up TB/HIV services now to save a million lives by 2015

We urge the global community to support rapid expansion and scale up of TB/HIV services, with the particular aim of saving 1 million additional lives by preventing deaths from TB among people living with HIV by 2015. This goal, as proposed by the Stop TB Partnership, is achievable, realistic and merits the highest level of global commitment.

Invest big in research now to get to zero TB deaths tomorrow among people living with HIV

Recent research has brought us rapid new TB tests, which are now being used in a growing number of countries. But greater investment will bring critical breakthroughs: faster-working drugs with fewer side effects that are better adapted to people living with HIV, and a cheap, low-tech TB test that works as quickly as a HIV test. Despite the urgent need, funding for TB research is in decline. Funders need to step up their contribution to TB research today to achieve zero TB deaths tomorrow among people living with HIV.

From our partners

Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (TBVI): World Aids day 2011: Want to get to zero? Deal with TB!