Tuberculosis (TB) is the world’s top infectious killer. It is a contagious, airborne disease caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most commonly affects the lungs. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel TB germs into the air. A person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to become infected.

About one-quarter of the world's population has latent TB, which means people have been infected by TB bacteria but are not (yet) ill with the disease and cannot transmit the disease. People infected with TB bacteria have a 5–15% lifetime risk of falling ill with TB. However, persons with compromised immune systems, such as people living with HIV, malnutrition or diabetes, or people who use tobacco, have a much higher risk of falling ill. 

The good news is that TB is curable and preventable.

Over the last 30 years, China has significantly reduced TB incidence and mortality. However China is still among the 30 high-burden tuberculosis countries in the world, and TB remains a public health concern.  Increased coverage and quality of diagnosis, treatment and care for people infected with TB and latent TB, as well as reducing the out-of-pocket expenses for patients, is essential for fighting the battle against TB.