World Tuberculosis Day 2026: Unite to End Tuberculosis

World Tuberculosis Day 2026: A Global Call to Action

March 24th, 2026

Each year, World Tuberculosis Day is observed on March 24th, a day of significance marking Dr. Robert Koch's groundbreaking announcement in 1882 of the discovery of the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis (TB). This discovery was a pivotal moment in the medical field, leading to the development of diagnostic methods and treatments for this devastating disease.

The Significance of World Tuberculosis Day

World Tuberculosis Day serves as a critical platform for educating the public about the impact of tuberculosis on the health, social, and economic well-being of populations worldwide. It also acts as a call to action for individuals, communities, and governments to join forces in the fight against tuberculosis and to accelerate efforts towards eliminating the disease as a public health burden.

The Objective of World Tuberculosis Day 2026

Raising Awareness

Our primary goal is to elevate public understanding and awareness about the ongoing TB epidemic, emphasizing the need for preventive measures, early diagnosis, and effective treatment.

Promoting Access to Care

We aim to highlight the importance of universal access to quality health care services, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their economic status, can receive the tuberculosis care they need.

Advocating for Research and Innovation

Continued innovation and research are vital for the development of new vaccines, diagnostic tools, and treatments to end tuberculosis. World Tuberculosis Day 2026 emphasizes the critical need for funding and support for TB research.

Strengthening Partnerships

The fight against tuberculosis requires a collaborative approach. We encourage partnerships among governments, health organizations, civil society, and the private sector to pool resources and expertise in combating tuberculosis.

World Tuberculosis Day and the Sustainable Development Goals

Aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), World TB Day advocates for efforts to end the TB epidemic by 2030. This initiative supports the health and well-being of millions worldwide, contributing to the achievement of the broader SDGs.

How You Can Get Involved

Educate Yourself and Others

Learn about tuberculosis and share your knowledge with others. Awareness is the first step towards change.

Participate in Events

Attend or organize local events to mark World Tuberculosis Day. Engaging in community activities can have a significant impact on raising awareness.

Advocate for Change

Use your voice on social media and within your community to advocate for increased tuberculosis research funding and better access to care.

Support Tuberculosis Research and Treatment Programs

Consider donating to organizations that are at the forefront of TB research and treatment. Your support can make a difference in the lives of those affected by tuberculosis.

Remembering the Past, Looking to the Future

As we commemorate World Tuberculosis Day 2026, we honor the historical discovery by Dr. Robert Koch while looking forward with hope towards a world free of tuberculosis. By uniting in our efforts, raising awareness, and advocating for research and innovation, we can make strides in ending the tuberculosis epidemic for good. Join us on March 24th to be a part of this global movement.

Together, we can end tuberculosis.

World Tuberculosis Day Themes and Awareness Topics

Year	Theme	Awareness Topic
2013	Stop TB in My Lifetime	Highlighting progress and the remaining challenges in eliminating TB worldwide.
2014	The "missed" 3 million	Addressing the need to reach people with TB missed by health systems, especially in vulnerable populations.
2015	Gear Up to End TB	Calling for global action aligned with the WHO's End TB Strategy and patient-centered care.
2016	Unite to End TB	Encouraging cross-sector collaboration to meet Sustainable Development Goals and eliminate TB.
2017	Unite to End TB: Leave No One Behind	Promoting equitable access to TB prevention and care, especially for marginalized communities.
2018	Wanted: Leaders for a TB-Free World	Calling for leadership at all levels ahead of the UN High-Level Meeting on TB.
2019	It’s Time for Action	Stressing the urgency of fulfilling commitments to end TB and expand prevention and treatment.
2020	It’s Time to End TB	Accelerating the global response to TB in line with commitments from the 2018 UN summit.
2021	The Clock is Ticking	Conveying urgency to act amid the COVID-19 pandemic and protect TB progress.
2022	Invest to End TB. Save Lives.	Advocating for greater investment to restore and accelerate progress against TB.
2023	Yes! We Can End TB!	Inspiring action, innovation, and investment toward ending TB ahead of the UN meeting.
2024	Yes! We Can End TB!	Continuing the call for action and accountability to meet commitments made in 2023.
2025	Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver	World TB Day 2025 urges hope, urgency, and accountability in the fight against the world’s deadliest infectious disease.