U.S. Policy Options for Strengthening Coordination between Global HIV/AIDS and TB Programs

Over the past two decades, the relentless spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has amplified the global tuberculosis (TB) pandemic, which had previously been coming under increasing control. Currently, approximately onethird of those living with HIV around the world are coinfected with TB Worldwide, active TB is the most common infection heralding the onset of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), as well as the leading cause of death among people living with AIDS. TB kills about 1.6 million people annually, including an estimated 195,000 people who are also infected by HIV. Of the 10 countries with the highest TB incidence rates among HIV-infected people, 7 are focus countries of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), illustrating the importance of coinfection as an issue in places where the United States is concentrating its HIV/AIDS programs and investments.