How Can TB Services for Adolescents and Youth be Improved?

Overview

Addressing TB in AY populations is a human rights imperative and is achievable with increased leadership and political support. Given that AY make up a significant proportion of the total population of low- and middle-income countries, focusing on this population is crucial for putting countries on track to globally reach the UN High-Level Meeting targets on TB and end TB in children and adolescents.

In this brief, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation’s (EGPAF) Committee of African Youth Advisors (CAYA) emphasize the urgency to improve TB services for youth and adolescents. In response to a survey about their own experiences with HIV and TB programming, CAYA members recommend three ways in which services for adolescents and youth can be improved:

1. Prioritizing AY in national TB responses,
2. Making TB services more adolescent-friendly, and
3. Increasing meaningful youth engagement in the TB response.