World Tuberculosis Day in the United States

Date: March 24

History: World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is observed annually on March 24 to commemorate the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes tuberculosis. This groundbreaking research laid the foundation for diagnosing and curing this devastating disease.

Traditions: In the United States, World TB Day is used to raise public awareness about the consequences of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease. While there are no traditional celebrations as such, health organizations and advocacy groups often use this day to:

• Educate communities about TB prevention and control.
• Mobilize political and social commitment towards eliminating TB.
• Honor those who have dedicated their lives to fighting tuberculosis.

Activities: On World TB Day in the U.S., activities typically include:

• Educational seminars and webinars led by health professionals.
• Distribution of informational materials online and offline.
• Social media campaigns using hashtags like #WorldTBDay or #EndTB to increase visibility.
• Health fairs offering free or low-cost tuberculosis screening.
• Fundraising events to support research and treatment programs.
• Lighting landmarks in red to symbolize the fight against TB.

These activities aim to keep TB at the forefront of public health discussions, recognizing that despite being preventable and curable, it remains one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases.