How much do you know about TB?

Tuberculosis is the second leading cause of death from infectious disease worldwide (COVID-19 is top). Yet, many people don’t know much about it or have been misinformed. Test your knowledge and take our tuberculosis quiz!

Over the past two decades, the Global Fund which fights tuberculosis, as well as AIDS and malaria, has helped save 44 million lives and given the world the tools to end these preventable global threats. But the COVID-19 pandemic threatens the critical progress we’ve made in combating these diseases. In our next newsletter, we’ll tell you more about how you can join the fight to save millions of lives from these diseases.

Three updates on the fight against the pandemic

11 March marked the two year anniversary of the pandemic
A lot has happened in those two years — from putting blocks of feta into pasta and the ‘Tiger King’ craze, to schools closing because of lockdowns and global poverty increasing for the first time in years. Find out why we're celebrating the pandemic's birthday.

Leaked IP waiver on Covid-19 vaccines falls short
For over a year, countries in the global south have been calling for a temporary waiver on intellectual property rights on COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. If passed by the World Trade Organization, it would give them the power to produce their own supplies rather than having to wait years for a handful of pharmaceutical companies to produce enough for the world.
Today, 2.8 billion people are still waiting to get their first shot. Text of a proposed deal, which only covers vaccines and not treatments and tests, was leaked and falls well short of what over 100 countries are calling for.

Rich countries getting new Novavax COVID-19 vaccine before low income ones
The company behind a COVID-19 vaccine touted as a key tool for low income countries has sent tens of millions of doses to wealthy nations, but provided none yet to the United Nations-backed effort to supply poorer countries.

Spotlight: People who are changing the world

ONE Champion, Brian Malika

My name is Brian Malika. I'm 28 years old and I live in a rural area in Kenya, East Africa.

Can you tell us about the work you do?

I'm passionate about tackling climate change because this is an area that could define the next decade in regards to who faces social injustices like respiratory infections, floods, drought, or even starvation.

I live in an area where at least 78% of the population uses charcoal as a source for cooking fuel. I launched a media lab for young people called One More Percent, which publishes innovative climate change solutions and I help low-income households access greener cooking fuel alternatives like biogas over fossil fuels like charcoal, kerosene, or firewood.

I'm also a strong advocate for global access to the internet. I believe there needs to be deliberate efforts to prioritise internet connectivity programs for the parts of the world that don't have internet access. I support policies on digital rights as part of a new global initiative called Tech for Democracy, spearheaded by the Danish government.

Why is ending extreme poverty and preventable disease important to you?

I believe that humanity’s destiny towards achieving a fairer, better, and more inclusive world is tied to the experience of every individual on earth. Ending extreme poverty and preventable disease is important because it translates to the overall happiness, well-being, and security of everyone on earth. 

How do you like to spend your time outside of work?

Outside of work, I'm a time traveler by reading books that predict the future and explore history! I also like to visit new places, and this summer I'm planning to visit Belfast, Ireland.

Follow me on Twitter! 

Meet the women who have inspired you through the pandemic

Last month, almost 1,000 of you celebrated International Women's Day by sharing a personal message to honor a woman who's inspired you. Check out the THANK YOU card we made with all the amazing messages sent from around the world. (Spoiler alert: there will be lots of happy mothers out there!). Here are a few of our favourites!

All over the world, women in particular have been hit hard by the pandemic — through a rise in gender-based violence, a higher loss of livelihoods, rising rates of maternal deaths, and more. We also highlighted some of the women who have been doing amazing work in the fight against the pandemic — from fighting food insecurity to inventing solar-powered vaccine carriers.

“By endemic we actually mean a disease the world could get rid of but hasn’t. HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria are pandemics that have been beaten in rich countries. Allowing them to persist elsewhere is a policy choice and a budgetary decision.”

-Peter Sands, CEO of the Global Fund

 The Pandemic Is Following a Very Predictable and Depressing Pattern

What's the most effective way to achieve real social change?

Terrorism, coups, revolutions… pop culture and conventional history often teach us that violence is the most effective way to drive political change. But is that common assumption actually true? In this episode from the podcast Hidden Brain, political scientist Erica Chenoweth, who has studied more than 100 years of revolutions and insurrections, says the answer is counterintuitive.

And in other news:

• Ghana to start producing own COVID-19 vaccines in January 2024
• Russia’s war in Ukraine could trigger conflict and violence in other countries
• Nearly 4 out of 10 Kenyans have been unable to pay rent since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic