PHE launches new guidance to tackle TB

Public Health England (PHE), working in partnership with TB Alert and NHS England, have published a new resource for TB Control Boards to help tackle tuberculosis (TB) in hard to reach communities.

TB, a disease associated with social deprivation, was six times more prevalent in deprived areas than in wealthy regions.

Research from the TB Annual Report 2016 found that people living in communities with high rates of TB tended to be those dealing with multiple complex health and social care needs. For many such under-served populations (USPs), residents often miss the opportunity for early diagnosis of TB and opportunity for treatment, suffering avoidable health events as a consequence.

According to the PHE statement, the resource will be used to improve understanding of the health needs of USPs in relation to TB, and to support the design and delivery of multi-agency programmes and services to better meet those needs. The resource will also offer practical examples of successful initiatives which have been implemented to reach such communities and contribute to the aims of the Collaborative TB Strategy for England.

Mike Mandelbaum, chief executive of TB Alert said: “Tuberculosis disproportionately affects some of the most vulnerable people in society, who often have least access to healthcare. This is as true in England as in developing countries, which explains the need for services which respond to the specific challenges involved in tackling TB among under-served populations.

“The key to improved health outcomes among these populations is partnership working involving health services, local authorities, the third sector, and affected populations themselves. This resource provides a framework for commissioning and delivering services based on those partnerships, and for reversing the pattern of health inequalities so commonly associated with TB.”