A lack of awareness and understanding of tuberculosis can hamper disease control efforts. Projects which work in communities may be able to address this problem. Reuters AlertNet has published an interesting account of the work of a charity, ADRA, which is running such projects in several parts of India, in collaboration with Indian government health services and with the backing of USAID. The aim is to increase awareness, change cultural attitudes, and encourage greater participation. ADRA is also working to provide communities better access to health services in an effort to increase the rate of early detection and treatment for the TB.

“Increasing awareness within the community is crucial to winning the battle against tuberculosis,” says Paulo Lopes, country director for ADRA India. “By improving education and mobilizing the community, we will be able to conquer this deadly but easily preventable disease.”