Report Type: Case Studies Publication

There is increasing recognition that business can play a powerful role in stopping TB. Indeed, many companies already are: a 2008 survey of 83 Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, TB & Malaria (GBC) members revealed that 40 percent of respondents offer workplace information and education on TB. These companies understand the economic costs of having employees affected by TB and are responding in accordance with global public health standards and in collaboration with local partners.

Private sector engagement can extend beyond just the workplace. Companies are also active in developing and implementing community education and prevention programs, in partnership with government and NGOs. Others are applying their fundamental business strengths-or core competencies-to increase research and development efforts to improve vaccines, diagnostics and drugs for TB. To increase advocacy and awareness of TB, some companies are innovatively contributing their marketing and communication skills to the fight.

Outstanding Business Action to Stop Tuberculosis: How Companies Contribute to the Global Fight highlights eight company efforts addressing the global TB epidemic. The featured companies belong to a broad range of industries, including extractives, pharmaceuticals and public relations. This diversity illustrates the fact that every company, regardless of industry, has a potential role to play in addressing TB. Though the type of intervention, scale and outcomes of each program may vary, all of them share the following elements:

• Corporate commitment to stopping TB
• Initial focus on risk assessment/problem identification
• Integrated approach to managing TB with HIV, malaria and other diseases
• Partnerships with TB stakeholders, including governments, NGOs and technical agencies

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The CDC chose Outstanding Business Action to Stop Tuberculosis: How Companies Contribute to the Global Fight to be the TB Highlight of the Month for its November, 2009 TB Training and Education Resources E-Newsletter.  View other TB resources highlighted by the CDC by visiting www.findtbresources.org.

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