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| |  Assessment of the Worldwide Status of Tuberculosis LONDON -- August 29, 1997 -- Tuberculosis is a curable disease, but is still the infectious disease that causes more deaths among adults worldwide than any other. In The Lancet, Dr Mario Raviglione and colleagues, for the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Surveillance and Monitoring Project of tuberculosis, report the findings of a worldwide survey of tuberculosis control. In 1996, the investigators sent forms requesting information about tuberculosis control-programme policies, case notifications during 1995, and treatment results for 1994 to 216 countries. 180 countries, areas, and territories replied, covering 98% of the world's population. In 1995, WHO was notified about 3.3 million new cases of tuberculosis. The investigators estimate that this might be only about 45% of the true number of new cases for this period. Up to 23% of the world's population were living in areas in which the WHO tuberculosis control strategy, including diagnostic and treatment services, was available. Although control programmes achieve higher cure rates, their impact on a worldwide scale is modest and wider continuous coverage is needed. The investigators suggest that intensified technical and financial assistance around the world may increase the rates of case detection and treatment success, and simultaneously improve the quality of information available about tuberculosis control programmes. "Better information," they conclude, "will, in turn, allow a better assessment of the achievements of national tuberculosis programmes, ultimately challenging countries to improve their control efforts."
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