Many logistical and medical components of the global response to tuberculosis (TB) are relatively robust. The communication part is not.
A cure has been available for nearly 50 years. Yet DOTS (directly observed treatment, short-course) – the strategy recommended by the World Health Organization for fighting the disease, did for a long time not carry a communication component.
This briefing explains how better communication, which includes advocacy, social mobilisation and programme communication, would provide solutions to a number of problems within today's fight against TB.