World TB Day is observed each year on March 24 to raise awareness of the health, social, and economic impacts of tuberculosis, and to renew our collective commitment to ending TB.
At Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin Inc. (KIM), we recognize that ending TB requires approaches that are rooted in community, culture, and partnership. The theme Yes! We Can End TB. Led by Communities. Powered by Partnerships. reflects what we know to be true. When First Nations communities lead the way, and systems work in support of that leadership, responses are stronger, more sustainable, and grounded in local knowledge and priorities.
Through collaboration and respect for community-driven solutions, we move closer to a future free of TB.
“It is well known that the social determinants of health are a key driver of the ongoing struggle of TB in our First Nations communities – crowded housing, inadequate nutrition and poor access to testing and treatment.
To “End TB” – First Nations organizations/communities must be supported to provide equitable services such as access to testing and treatment. With training, community members are best suited to be DOT (Direct Observed Therapy) workers as they are well aware of the colonial history, can speak the language, share the same cultural beliefs, know the families and community members best.
For non-Indigenous health care professionals, please read the Canadian Tuberculosis Standards: Chapter 12 – An Introductory Guide to Tuberculosis care to improve cultural competencies for health care workers and public health professionals serving Indigenous Peoples of Canada.”
Federal Government Events (EN & FR)
Supporting TB Care in First Nations Communities
Hosted by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCCID)
Monday, March 23, 2026 – 1:00pm-2:00pm ET
Virtual
This webinar will center on TB in First Nations communities and will offer practical insights into the socioeconomic factors influencing TB and strategies for health and social service providers to strengthen their practice through cultural safety, competence and humility. An interactive Q&A will highlight key actions to advance the TB response.
TB Talks: Building Trust and Supporting Treatment Adherence in Contexts Shaped by Historical Harm
Hosted by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 – 12:30pm-1:30pm ET
Virtual
Indigenous Services Canada is pleased to invite you to a virtual learning opportunity on building trust and supporting tuberculosis treatment adherence in contexts shaped by historical harm, presented by guests Dr. Anatole Mayema and Dr. Patrick Nkundanyirazo.
Tuberculosis care in many communities must be approached with sensitivity to historical trauma, structural inequities, and institutional mistrust. Building trust authentically is central to respectful patient engagement and effective treatment support.
Domestic Events (EN only)
National Information & Education
West Park Healthcare Centre: 2026 World TB Day Conference
Monday, March 23, 2026 – 8:30am-4:30pm ET
Virtual and In-Person (Toronto, ON) ($)
The 2026 conference brings together clinicians, researchers, policymakers, community partners, and advocates for a full day dedicated to learning, collaboration, and renewed commitment to ending tuberculosis. Through engaging presentations and thoughtful discussion, speakers will explore current challenges, emerging evidence, and practical approaches to improving TB prevention, care, and outcomes.
McGill International TB Centre – TB Centre Research Day 2026
Monday, March 23, 2026 – 11:00am – 5:00pm ET
Virtual and In-Person (Montréal, QC)
- Poster Presentations: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Speaker Presentations and Prizes: 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Speakers and topics:
- Joel Ernst, MD, Professor, Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, “Tuberculosis as a transmissible disease of inflammation”
- Rein Houben PhD, Professor of TB Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, “(Re-)appreciating the complexity of TB”
- Yassen Tcholakov, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Global and Public Health, McGill University, “Challenges for TB elimination in Northern Canada”
Results Canada – Special TB Action: Turn a Landmark Red
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 (Various Locations)
You can help make tuberculosis impossible to ignore. Submit a request to have a monument in your city, or another Canadian city, lit up in red on March 24 and help shine a spotlight on the fight against TB.
SSHIFTB – Social Science & Health Innovation for Tuberculosis
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 – 8:00am-9:00am ET
Virtual
Speakers and Topics
- Karuna Devi Sagili – Independent Consultant: Effect of Climate Change on TB and Health System Preparedness in India – Findings from a Literature Review
- Carol Devine – SeeChange Initiative: Mental Health Impacts of TB and Planetary Health in Inuit Communities
- Ellen Mitchell – Institute of Tropical Medicine: Something People would Actually use: Co-designing Tools to Filter TB Bioaerosols from our Indoor Air
Stop TB Canada and CAAN – Hybrid Civil Society Round Table
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 – 10:30am-11:30am ET
Virtual and In-Person (Ottawa, ON)
This informal civil society roundtable will bring together the Canadian Coalition of Global Fund advocates to debrief on the outcome of the 8th Replenishment and discuss plans forward for Grant Cycle 8 within a rapidly changing global health architecture.
Stop TB Canada and CAAN – Moderated TB Panel Reception
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 – 12:30pm-2:00pm ET
In-Person (Ottawa, ON)
Join us in person for a networking reception at 12:00pm, followed by a moderated panel from 12:30pm to 2:00pm. This event will gather Civil Society Partners, National Indigenous Organizations, Public Servants, and Parliamentarians for a culturally grounded reception designed to humanize the TB response and emphasize Indigenous sovereignty in health.
Results Canada – Hope is a Strategy: Become an Advocate for Change
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 – 6:00pm-8:00pm CDT
In-Person (Winnipeg, MB)
Join the Results Canada community for an inspiring evening of learning, connection, and action this World Tuberculosis Day. Discover how you can advocate for global health and help raise awareness about tuberculosis—the world’s deadliest infectious disease, which continues to affect communities in Manitoba and around the world. Learn practical advocacy skills and take action alongside others who are committed to ending TB and extreme poverty.
International Events (EN only)
World Health Organization: World TB Day 2026 – Online talk show
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 – 8:30am to 4:00pm ET
Virtual
This high-level dialogue will bring together Ministers of Health, senior government representatives, WHO leadership, heads of agencies, TB survivors, civil society leaders, partners and affected communities – to galvanize country-led leadership and drive bold, coordinated action across sectors. During the event, WHO will also issue a Call to Action urging Member States and partners to fast-track the rollout of the first-ever WHO-recommended near point-of-care diagnostic tests for TB – an essential step toward early detection and universal health coverage.
The event will take place in an interactive talk-show format, with speakers joining virtually from around the world. It will be broadcast live and feature real-time audience engagement through an online Q&A – ensuring a dynamic, inclusive and action-oriented global conversation.
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine: World TB Day Symposium 2026
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 – 8:30am – 5:00pm GMT
Virtual and In-Person (London, UK)
We have taken this opportunity to host a one-day symposium March every year since 2010, to highlight contemporary TB research, control measures and policy initiatives, and to discuss future challenges. Our aim is to connect all those who work on, or are affected by, TB: researchers; professionals in public health, surveillance and policy; those involved in clinical care and service delivery; colleagues in diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccine development; and affected patients and communities.
QuantiFERON World TB Day: Together for a future without TB
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 – 12:00pm – 4:00pm ET (Americas session)
Virtual
This educational program features global TB experts who will focus on TB testing and treatment. We’ll showcase inspiring local voices from around the world, highlighting the impactful initiatives of TB fighters and advocates.
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 – 10:00am – 11:30am ET
Virtual and in-person
The social determinants of health associated with TB, including poverty, social exclusion, malnutrition, comorbidities, discrimination, and stigma, continue to be the main drivers of the epidemic in Latin America and the Caribbean.
World Tuberculosis Day 2026 underscores the urgency of accelerating efforts to end TB. This year’s theme, “We can end tuberculosis: powered by Primary Health Care, innovation, and committed communities” highlights the need for sustained commitment, national leadership, adequate investment, and active community participation.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 – 7:00-8:30am ET
Virtual
Join us for the closing webinar of the LIGHT research programme, where we will share key findings, lessons learned, and the tangible impact of LIGHT’s work. The session will highlight how integrating a gender lens into TB prevention and care has improved understanding of underserved populations, strengthened community engagement, and informed policy and practice. By showcasing research insights, policy engagement, and community-led interventions, the webinar will demonstrate how countries and partners can take leadership in turning commitments into action, ensuring no one is left behind. We will also reflect on the programme’s legacy and explore opportunities to sustain and scale gender-responsive approaches, informing future research, advocacy, funding and TB programmes at national and regional levels.
TB Information and Resources
Resources in English and French:
- Agenda for Sustainable Development: Tuberculosis Incidence in Inuit Nunangat
- Canadian Tuberculosis Standards Chapter 12: An introductory guide to tuberculosis care to improve cultural competence for health care workers and public health professionals serving Indigenous Peoples of Canada
- Government of Canada: Tuberculosis disease surveillance
- Government of Canada’s Tuberculosis Response (2025): Working towards Tuberculosis Elimination
- National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH): Tuberculosis Resources
- Public Health Agency of Canada: Tuberculosis Disease in Canada, 2023, Infographic
- National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCCID): Tuberculosis Resources
- Public Health Agency of Canada TB educational resources:
- Think TB: For Communities: A one-page factsheet that provides key information about TB for communities.Think TB: For Health Professionals: This factsheet provides key information about TB for health professionals. The editable factsheet contains customizable sections for groups to incorporate local contact information and their logo.
- Think TB. Test TB. Video primer for health professionals: A video that provides information for health professionals on the signs, symptoms and risk factors for TB.
- TB Talks webinar series – Indigenous Services Canada, National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health
Resources in English only:
- First Nations Health Authority (FNHA): TB educational materials
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK): Inuit Tuberculosis Elimination Framework
- Manitoba Indigenous Tuberculosis History Project
- Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA): TB resources
- Stop TB Partnership: Words Matter Language Guide
- Stop TB Canada Report: Essential Tuberculosis Medicines in Canada: Insights from a National Survey of Healthcare Providers
- World Health Organization: World TB Day 2026
- World Health Organization: Tuberculosis Tools and Resources
