Tuberculosis

Despite being uncommon in Canada, tuberculosis (TB) remains a public health challenge in this country. While the number of active TB cases remains steady, the poor health of those who have the disease continues to affect certain communities more than others, including in the number of new TB cases.  

NCCID supports TB elimination in Canada through knowledge mobilization, exchange and brokering to public health audiences and partners. We work to:

  1. Identify gaps and inequities
  2. Find, review, summarize and share evidence and knowledge on promising practices and strategies 
  3. Support TB awareness and education for health care workers, community partners, and other stakeholders 
  4. Facilitate sharing knowledge across regions and jurisdictions
  5. Facilitate national level discussions and dialogue
  6. Facilitate innovative and cross-sectoral partnership building

Look below for TB elimination resources by NCCID and others, including a Proposal for TB Program Performance Measurement in Canada, a Curated List of Resources for TB Prevention in Homeless Shelters, an Online Educational Tool on the TB Determinants in Northern First Nations Communities, and a Promising Practice Case Study on Integrated LTBI Care at a Refugee Health Clinic.

To share your questions or comments about our TB work, or to discuss the possibility of partnering with us, please contact us at nccid@umanitoba.ca

What’s New

“TB Talks” Podcast

Artwork by Ruth Cuthand. (Tuberculosis, 2011).

TB Talks is an NCCID podcast series that shares knowledge to support TB elimination in Canada. If you have any questions or comments about the series, please reach out to the Series Producer, Shivoan Balakumar, at Shivoan.Balakumar@umanitoba.ca.

Season 2 – A Community Outbreak Story

This 4-episode educational docuseries follows the course of a 2019 TB outbreak in a small First Nations community in northern Saskatchewan. Hear the captivating stories of TB survivors and front line workers involved in the response.

Season 1 – Conversations at End TB 2017

NCCID speaks to TB experts at End TB 2017, a meeting of the International Union against Tuberculosis – North American Region (NAR). Topics include cultural humility, new digital technologies, Indigenous determinants of TB, and post-landing surveillance.

[Image: Through vibrant, intricate beadwork, First Nations artist Ruth Cuthand explores the historical connections between colonialism, race, disparity, and disease by depicting microscopic views of pathogens like tuberculosis. Historically, infectious disease and ensuing pandemics disproportionately impacted Indigenous communities as a result of colonialism and genocide. Similar health disparities continue today as a result of entrenched inequity and ongoing structural violence against Black, Indigenous and People of Color. Cuthand’s chosen medium further reflects this complex history: like many infectious diseases, glass beads were first introduced in the Western Hemisphere by European colonizers, who traded the inexpensive items for valuable furs and other goods, and like viruses, they fundamentally disrupted Indigenous ways of life].

NCCID Resources

VIDEO | Mathematical Modelling in Public Health: Tuberculosis (2020)

This short, educational video aims to de-mystify mathematical modelling for Tuberculosis prevention and public health planning.

RESOURCE LIST | Public Health Action to address Tuberculosis in Homeless Shelter Settings: a curated list (2020)

A curated resource list to support public health TB programs develop equity-centred public health policy and interventions in emergency housing, and shelter settings.

REPORT | Shared Priorities for TB Program Performance Measurement in Canada – Proposal for Discussion (2018)

A proposal for collaborative TB program indicator development, based on shared performance measurement priorities identified across high-burden regions and populations in Canada.

ONLINE EDUCATIONAL TOOL| TB Journey Determinants Map for Northern First Nations Communities (evergreen development)

A dynamic, interactive visual, depicting key stages in a patient’s journey from exposure to treatment completion, and the intersections of medical, social and First Nations determinants of TB that influence their experiences and health and wellness outcomes.

REPORT | TB Deliberative Dialogue Summary (2018)

This summary describes key priorities and directions for TB elimination in Canada, as identified during a 2018 deliberative dialogue meeting hosted by the Public Health Agency of Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, NCCID, and the Canadian TB Elimination Network. 

RESOURCE LIST | Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis: International Resources for Public Health Personnel (2018)

A curated list of international resources on MDR TB that can be considered and adapted for the Canadian context.

CASE STUDY | Integrated LTBI Care for Refugees: Successes and Challenges at BridgeCare Clinic in Winnipeg (2017)

In this case study, we share the story of the success of BridgeCare Clinic, a model of primary care integrated TB services for government-assisted refugees, for its approach to improving latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment completion outcomes in priority populations.

WEBINAR | TB Elimination – Public Health Approaches for Priority Populations (2016)

This webinar explores surveillance data in Canada and focuses on topics including programming, infrastructure, emerging technologies and global efforts combating tuberculosis. Request access to the webinar recording, here. Download the companion document for key messages and other helpful resources.

DISCUSSION BRIEF | Public Health Speaks: Tuberculosis and the Social Determinants of Health (2014)

Using tuberculosis as an example, public health practitioners discuss roles, actions and strategies that public health can take to address the social determinants of health and reduce inequities. This resource is a summary of their conversation.