The Union / The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

The International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease WHO WE AREWHAT WE DOWHERE WE WORKNEWS CENTREGET INVOLVEDMember Login Search FacebookTwitterYouTubeLinkedIn SHARE WHO WE ARE HISTORY History Origins Origins International TB experts gather for the first time in 1867 to share strategies for fighting “the White Plague” – tuberculosis. Prof Robert Koch of Berlin identifies Mycobacterium tuberculosis as the cause of TB in 1882. Cross of LorraineIn 1902, the Central Bureau for the Prevention of Tuberculosis is established in Berlin and adopts the Cross of Lorraine as its symbol. WWI forces its closure. 1920s 1920s At the first post-war conference, held in Paris in 1920, 31 nations founded the International Union Against Tuberculosis (IUAT). Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin, active IUAT members, develop the BCG vaccine against TB first used in humans in 1921. Stamp 1930s 1930s 10 international conferences are held between 1920 and 1939 focus on the fundamental, biological, clinical and social aspects of TB. WWII suspends activities. 1940s 1940s The discovery of streptomycin in 1943 and the founding of the World Health Organization in 1946 bring powerful new partners to the fight against TB. The IUAT is the first NGO to be officially recognised by WHO. 1950s 1950s IUAT members at work: In Scotland, Sir John Crofton treats TB with a combination of antibiotics, making it curable for the first time. In India, Dr Wallace Fox proves that TB patients can be treated at home. 1960s 1960s The IUAT plays a central role in international clinical trials to determine the best ways to use the new tools for TB treatment and co-founds the TB Surveillance Research Unit. Through its Extended and Mutual Assistance Programmes, The Union urges stakeholders to become involved in TB control and affluent members provide expertise to developing countries. 1970s 1970s The burden of TB shifts to low- and middle-income countries. The Union develops a multi-faceted TB control model based on government commitment, diagnosis by microscopy, standardized treatment, uninterrupted drug supplies and recording/reporting of outcomes. 1980s 1980s Nine high-burden, low-income countries pilot the strategy, which proves both effective and cost-effective, but the onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic creates a new crisis. 1990s 1990s WHO declares a global TB emergency and brands The Union model “DOTS” – directly observed treatment, short course. The Union provides TB technical assistance to more than 40 courses each year and expands focus to include asthma, child lung health and tobacco control. 2000s The Union decentralises, opening offices in all 7 regions to be closer to members and the people served. The Board adopts a new vision “Health solutions for the poor” and major programmes focus on TB-HIV, tobacco control and operational research. 2010s 2010s Under WHO's Stop TB Strategy, which drew heavily on The Union model (DOTS), an estimated 43 million lives were saved between 2000 and 2014. In 2015, the next phase – the End TB Strategy – was launched. 2020 2020 The Union Centennial Campaign will culminate in this 100th year of The Union. A Century of Leadership in Lung Health Our Impact Mission, Vision and Values History Leadership Ethics Advisory Group (EAG) Message from the Executive Director UNION WEBSITES Union Services · Union World Conference on Lung Health UNION REGIONS Africa · Asia Pacific · South-East Asia · Latin America · Middle East · Europe · North America UNION AFFILIATES/PROJECTS Vital Strategies · Project Axshya · TREAT TB · Tobacco Control · Union Courses VACANCIES · CONTACT US · LEGAL INFORMATION © Copyright 2020 The Union Site by Trilogy This site uses cookies to help improve your online experience. Read The Union’s Privacy and Cookies Policy, which also explains how to change your preferences. By using this site you agree to the use of cookies.OK