New drugs, strategies needed to combat drug-resistant tuberculosis

Medical researchers from around the globe met June 28, 2012 at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT to discuss ways to combat the emergence of a form of drug-resistant tuberculosis. During a panel discussion at the day-long symposium, experts—including two Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) professors—called for the development of new drugs to fight the disease, more political will to find a cure, and more activism to raise awareness.

The panel was moderated by Barry R. Bloom, Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor, former HSPH Dean, and the Joan L. and Julius H. Jacobson Professor of Public Health.

Panelists agreed that one of the main problems in detecting and treating tuberculosis is the public stigma attached to having the disease. [[Sarah Fortune]], the Melvin J. and Geraldine Glimcher Assistant Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at HSPH, said that early detection is crucial for successful treatment, according to a June 29, 2012 Harvard Gazette article. She said that educating people about better treatment options can help remove stigma and thus help early detection efforts.

Read the Harvard Gazette article

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