In order to better illustrate these points, I propose to use the problem of tuberculosis and our work in the tuberculosis arena to illustrate the problems and solutions that are inherent in the field of global health. Yet precisely because there is a lack of public support for the disease, the problem of tuberculosis has sat on the back-burner of disease priorities for years. Even with a domestic resurgence of tuberculosis in the late 80's and early 90's, Americans are still not aware that tuberculosis is a problem, even though there are compelling reasons why the government should care about the disease. It is a shame that the American government, along with the rest of the developed world, has let a disease for which there is a known cure reach the point where 3 million people are dying every year from tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is also a threat to the public health of Americans and the national security of the United States.
Tuberculosis is an airborne pathogen that can defy any border.
Thus, TB in the U.S. cannot be controlled without dealing with the problem worldwide. Furthermore, the government should care because there is a fundamental human rights interest in putting funds towards tuberculosis control and research. No new drugs have been developed for tuberculosis in the past 20 years. The genetic code for the tuberculosis bacteriumhas recently been sequenced, which could facilitate drug, vaccine, and diagnostic development if more money is directed towards this disease. According to the World Health Organization, almost 80 percent of TB's victims are in their most economically productive years of life.