The recently published World Health Organization (WHO) call to action and consensus statement about prioritising pregnant and lactating women in tuberculosis (TB) research represents the culmination of a multi-step process to develop consensus with a definitive demand: the field must work actively to accelerate research to end TB in pregnant and lactating women.
Nicole Salazar-Austin, Union Maternal and Child TB Working Group co-chair: “The risks faced by over 200,000 pregnant and postpartum women living with TB and their infants each year are grave and demand innovation and commitment.”
The consensus process unfolded over nearly two years and included five thematic working groups composed of a diverse set of experts in the areas of preclinical TB research, TB therapeutics research, TB vaccine research, maternal TB surveillance systems, and advocacy.
Notably, several members of the Maternal and Child TB working group not only contributed their expertise, but also took on leadership roles within these WHO working groups, guiding discussions and helping to shape the direction of the consensus process. Their influential participation ensured that maternal and child health considerations were front and centre in the dialogue.
Nicole added: “The result is a comprehensive, definitive statement articulating the historical challenges in each area with proposed, concrete steps for addressing them.
“From publishing regular data to effectively assessing the pregnant population at risk to developmental and reproductive toxicity preclinical studies, the WHO statement and call to action provide the crucial framework for all actors in the TB research community to prioritise pregnant and lactating women.”
In 2023, Nicole explained why TB notifications for people during maternal and postpartum must be included in the WHO Global TB Report and UN High Level Meeting targets.
Dr Cassandra Kelly-Cirino, Executive Director of The Union, said: “This bold call to action and consensus statement are a clear indication that real progress is being made that will save the lives of pregnant and postpartum women living with TB and their infants. This is testament to the determination, resilience and world leading expertise of our membership.”
Want to be part of this movement of like-minded lung health experts? Become a Union member and join us at The Union World Conference on Lung Health (18-21 November 2025, Copenhagen, Denmark) – explore the preliminary programme, which includes several maternal TB sessions.