The Union has been leading the way in knowledge and research sharing around COVID-19 and lung health, including a powerful webinar series, publishing guidance, briefings, journal articles, and a set of frequently asked questions.
Sign up for the latest on COVID-19 from The Union, including webinars, fast-tracked research, FAQs, official guidance and more.
FAQs on COVID-19 and lung health
The Union has published a set of frequently asked questions regarding COVID-19 and lung health, focusing on its impact on TB services and the people undergoing TB treatment, and guidance to maintain quality care throughout this period, as well as recommendations and guidance for healthcare workers treating smokers with COVID-19.
Webinar series: COVID-19 and lung health
The COVID-19 pandemic is perhaps the greatest healthcare challenge of a generation. The Union, in collaboration with its global community of members, is pleased to launch an open-access webinar series on COVID-19 and its intersection with tuberculosis (TB), tobacco control, lung disease and more.
See our other webinars here
Preserving TB and TB-HIV services in the face of an unprecedented pandemic in Africa
subtitle: Wednesday 1 July, 12:00 - 13:00 CEST
This Union member-led webinar builds on this IJTLD article, describing the TB and COVID-19 situation in Zimbabwe, and discussing safeguarding the provision of TB and collaborative TB-HIV services in Africa. Recent international guidance on TB-HIV care during COVID-19 will also be reviewed.
Fumar en tiempos de COVID-19
subtitle: Mié., 24 de Jun. de 2020 16:00 - 17:45 CEST
Spanish language webinar
Los facilitadores serán el Dr. Gustavo Zabert y el Lic. Gustavo Sóñora.
Los expositores serán la Dra. Laura Llambí, el Dr. Rogelio Pérez Padilla y el Dr. Carlos Jiménez Ruiz. Con comentario especial del Dr Eduardo Bianco.
TB preventive therapy: recent advances and future prospects
subtitle: Tuesday 23 June, 16:00 - 17:00 CEST
TB remains the number one global infectious-disease killer and prevention remains key to its elimination. While prevention of any infectious disease makes intuitive public health sense, TB prevention has been a relatively neglected area in TB control efforts until recently.
COVID-19 and TB: Personal perspectives
subtitle: Thursday 18 June, 14:00 - 15:00 CEST
Kate O’Brien and Ezio Tavora Dos Santos Filho, both TB survivors, will chair the discussion. The panellists will be: Claire Forlani, film and television actor and Union Ambassador. Dr Purna C. Kashyap, a COVID-19 survivor, based in the USA. Ms Athira Elssa Johnson, who is currently receiving treatment for TB, and living in Kerala, India. Dr Thato Mosidi, XDR TB survivor, who lives in South Africa.
Monitoring the COVID-19 Pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa: paying attention to health facility admissions and deaths
subtitle: Wednesday 10 June, 14:00-15:00 CEST
Speakers: Former Union President Jeremiah Chakaya, Leo Martinez, Anthony D Harries.
Desafíos para enfrentar la interferencia de la Industria Tabacalera en tiempos del COVID-19
subtitle: jueves 28 de mayo, 10:00-11:00 CDT
Spanish language webinar:
Moderadores: Gustavo Sóñora y Cristiane Vianna
Participación especial: Dra Vera Luiza da Costa e Silva
Expositores: Silvana Rubano Turci, Jorge Vega Cárdenas, Rodrigo Bolaños
COVID official guidance
Read official guidance from The Union and our partner organisations on the latest guidance on COVID-19.
IJTLD fast-tracked articles
In order to share scientific research of immediate concern as rapidly as possible, The Union is fast-tracking accepted articles from the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IJTLD) regarding COVID-19 and publishing them in full on our website, prior to their publication in the Journal.
See a complete list of all of our fast-tracked articles here.
Resource reprioritisation amid competing health risks for TB and COVID-19
Letter to the editors of the IJTLD that highlights health care responses to COVID-19 that might help TB care in the longer term.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the detection of TB in Shanghai, China
Letter to the editors of the IJTLD describing a significant decline in TB detection during the COVID-19 pandemic in Shanghai – highlighting the need for improved programmes to minimise the impact of any future lockdown on the control of TB.
Impact of shelter-in-place on TB case notifications and mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic
Letter to the editors of the IJTLD which assesses the impact of lockdown (shelter-in-place orders) on TB case notifications.
How to manage children if a second wave of COVID-19 occurs
A letter to the editors of the IJTLD arguing that we should avoid restrictions on children’s lives during any new waves of COVID-19 – and avoid school closures.
Adapting TB services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mumbai, India
A letter to the Editors of the IJTLD on adaptations to TB services that could help ensure continuity of services for RR/MDR-TB during COVID-19.
Impact of COVID-19 on TB care: experiences of a treatment centre in Nigeria
Letter to the editors giving an early view into the impact of COVID-19 on TB diagnosis in Nigeria, a high burden setting for TB.
The latest Union news about COVID-19
Urgent call for continuity of TB services during the COVID-19 pandemic in China
Our survey revealed that COVID-19 led to a significant disruption in TB diagnosis and care at major hospitals throughout China. We urgently call for additional investment directed toward improving the availability of diagnostics and therapeutics such that equitable access to care can be maintained during times of crisis.
The Union shares mid-term report on impact of COVID-19 on people with TB and HIV/AIDS in Africa
The Union’s Centre for Operational Research has made publicly available the mid-term report of the impact of COVID-19 on tuberculosis (…
The Union World Conference gathers global leaders for innovative science against the backdrop of COVID-19
Marked by global luminaries and held during the official centennial of The Union, the 51st Union World Conference on Lung Health provided an opportunity to celebrate a hundred years of leadership in lung health.
Union-led commentary addresses personal safety whilst flying during pandemic
A commentary in the Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene explores the issue of how safe is it to fly in…
Impact of COVID-19 on patients with asthma
Letter to the editors of IJTLD exploring the outcomes of patients with asthma in Northern Italy, exploring whether SARS-CoV-2 affected their asthma.
“UCAP has been buzzing with energy. This year’s conference is online, giving us huge opportunities to reach more people”
Rhea Lobo is a tuberculosis (TB) survivor, member of The Union's Community Advisory Panel (UCAP), and an international award-…
Partner sponsored content
The Union presents a series of special webinar sessions, organised and paid for by our partners to showcase new science and new areas of work. All paid for sessions are reviewed for compliance with The Union’s mission and vision.
Past webinar
The twin epidemics of TB and COVID-19: challenges and controversies
Watch a recording of this webinar
This webinar is paid for and created by Oxford Immunotec.