Tuberculosis: Finally, out of the shadows

Childhood tuberculosis—out of the shadows

Historically, childhood tuberculosis (TB) has been in the shadows, with global TB control programs focused exclusively on adults with sputum smear-positive TB [1]. This was based on a firm belief that the most costeffective method to contain the TB epidemic and thereby benefit the whole community, including children, was to identify and treat the most infectious adult cases. The fact that this ...

Child maltreatment comes out of the shadows.

Sabah and Nidal (names changed) were abandoned by their mother as toddlers and left with their father, who had no idea how to look after them. After feeding them and changing their diapers in the morning, he would leave them alone for 10 hours while he went to work. The children are now in the care of the Dar Al Aman child protection centre in Amman, Jordan. Dar Al Aman – which means “house of ...

Bringing epilepsy out of the shadows.

This global campaign is the most ambitious attempt to raise awareness of epilepsy. It aims to overcome general ignorance, misinformation and stigma attached to this condition. We want to inform the public about the emotional and social consequences that can follow a diagnosis of epilepsy. The campaign also highlights the medical and social care needed by millions of neglected people across the ...

Hepatitis B: Out of the shadows

Bringing stroke out of the shadows.

I am the founder of a company that makes stroke rehabilitation devices. I recently conducted a direct mail campaign to self-identified stroke survivors, but a few stray letters ended up in the wrong mailboxes. What an insult! For two weeks, I had people writing unpleasant e-mails and calling my office to scream at me because I had (accidentally) called them a stroke survivor. One woman told me ...