Tackling Latent TB in Primary Care

TB remains one of the world’s leading causes of death. In fact, it killed more people than any other infectious disease last year. Whilst rates are improving, the UK still has an unacceptable burden of TB disease. 

Colleagues at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) have collaborated with Public Health England, and two charities, In Tune for Life and TB Alert, to develop animated films to encourage people who have recently moved to the UK from high TB burden countries to get tested for Latent Tuberculosis infection (LTBI). 

Steph Taylor, Professor in Public Health and Primary Care and a PCRS-UK Trustees says “England has one of the highest incidences of TB in Western Europe. Most cases arise form reactivation of latent TB amongst people who have been settled in the UK for more than two years but were born abroad in countries with a high TB burden. The identification of healthy people with latent TB is an important strategy for the reduction of TB in England and primary care has an important role to play here, especially in large urban centres.  This new animation will help raise awareness and tackle stigma among populations at high risk.”  

The animation is free to use and will shortly be available in 6 other languages. 

To end TB we need activism, so please help colleagues at QMUL by using the video in your practice if appropriate and by spreading the word to your colleagues and across your networks.