Sociopolitical approach for tuberculosis control in Peru

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a social disease and is responsible for causing the greater number of deaths in humankind history. Koch’s bacillus finds in poverty, overcrowding, social exclusion, and inequality, the conditionants that facilitate its pathogenicity. Despite the efforts for its prevention and control, currently our country has one of the highest TB morbidity rates in Latin America. Thus, an innovator and comprehensive social-political approach should be considered based on the “Social Determinants of Health”. This article discusses the Social Determinants of Health associated with tuberculosis in the country, as well as the proposal of an alternative model of approach. finally we claim that the fight against TB requires the participation of various social and political actors, and that its success will contribute to promote citizenship in health.