Every 26 seconds, someone dies from tuberculosis, a disease that has been preventable, treatable and curable since WWII. While certain characteristics of this disease impact its virulence, poverty is the greatest contributor, according to the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. Although this seems counterintuitive in the face of TB’s infection and mortality rates, poverty is the hidden engine keeping TB the deadliest infectious disease in human history.

As Kansans, we tend to think this is merely a problem that exists overseas and that we are entirely free of the burden of this illness; however, this could not be further from the truth. In 2022, Kansas experienced one of the largest documented multi-drug-resistant TB outbreaks in U.S. history, with at least 67 confirmed cases. Most of these cases occurred in low-to middle-income households, further affirming that this is a disease of poverty. Increased incidence is not restricted to Kansas. Rather, national rates in general are on the rise, and they have been since 2021 after 30 straight years of either declining or stable infection rates, according to the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. 

Disease knows no borders. High TB rates in impoverished countries are one of the main factors allowing these sorts of outbreaks within the U.S. to propagate. To combat this crisis, we must provide care to those who need it abroad. Often, money given as aid for global healthcare is seen as a complete throwaway that only yields charitable benefits. In actuality, money given to global health aid, specifically the Global Fund, has a return on investment of $19 for every $1 given by the U.S. government, according to an article for ONE Data.

This impressive ROI comes from acts of solidarity in nonprofit organizations like Partners in Health, which work with national governments of developing countries to build healthcare infrastructure. In addition, PIH advocates and educates in the U.S. to push certain bills and policies through Congress. This is achieved through meetings with members of Congress conducted by hundreds of college students in PIH, including those at KSU. Of course, this work can only be done with the help of generous donors and active citizens who vote for the causes that PIH advocates for. 

Playing a role in this fight against poverty and illness doesn’t necessarily require donations, but a step in the right direction is being aware of the burden that weighs upon millions around the world. If you want to take further action, a good place to start is writing letters to your members of Congress in support of global health programs like PEPFAR and The Global Fund. It is through this awareness and willingness to act that ensures change for the betterment of mankind.