Tuberculosis Research

At a glance

CDC conducts clinical trials, epidemiologic studies, behavioral studies, modeling, and other research that contributes to new diagnostics, treatments, and approaches for eliminating tuberculosis (TB).

Health care providers review medical charts

Overview

TB Trials Consortium

The TB Trials Consortium (TBTC) is a collaboration of North American and international clinical investigators. TBTC's mission is to conduct programmatically relevant research concerning the diagnosis, clinical management, and prevention of TB infection and disease.

TB Epidemiologic Studies Consortium

The TB Epidemiologic Studies Consortium (TBESC) was established to strengthen, focus, and coordinate TB programmatic research. Since 2001, TBESC external partners have conducted epidemiologic and operational research to find better approaches to TB control and prevention.

Behavioral and social science research

Behavioral and social science research has the potential to make a tremendous impact on TB elimination efforts. This research includes, but is not limited to:

  • Understanding how behaviors of persons at risk for TB, patients and health care providers affect
    • TB-related care seeking
    • Diagnosis
    • Treatment success
    • Prevention
  • Understanding how other social, cultural, and environmental influences affect health seeking and treatment outcomes related to TB.

Epidemiologic and economic modeling

Modeling epidemics and economics of disease provide useful information on how to prevent the greatest amount of disease with existing resources.

The CDC-funded National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP) Epidemiologic and Economic Modeling Agreement (NEEMA) supports activities to inform and, ultimately, improve the effectiveness of public health programs and activities.