01.12.2025
Commitment to fighting tuberculosis and lung disease
The international community, including leading scientists, researchers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, community leaders, civil society representatives, funders, and affected communities from 120 countries, gathered in Copenhagen to reaffirm their commitment to fighting tuberculosis and lung disease. Despite devastating global funding cuts and geopolitical turmoil, more than 3,000 lung health experts attended the World Conference on Lung Health (“Union Conference”) 2025, held in Copenhagen, Denmark, from November 18 to 21.
The Union Conference was kicked off with a truly inspiring keynote speech delivered by global health advocate and bestselling author, John Green, who stated: “Every crisis in an opportunity to reimagine TB care but it is also a crisis, and on every level it is a man-made crisis… we have plenty of money as a community to end tuberculosis – it will cost billions but we have billions and must do what is needed.”
Prof. Guy Marks, President of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), highlighted the importance of remaining united during such a challenging period: “We must organise: within our communities, our countries, our workforces – where our voices and actions can affect change that matters to us. Collectively, we do have a voice. We must be heard on the matters that concern us in these dark times. We, as The Union, have a role to play in the context of our vision and mission. We all, as individuals, have a role to play through civil society.”
Over 250 sessions were delivered during the gathering, as part of the foundation programme, TBScience and Community Connect, which covered every key topic and breakthrough across lung health, including: the impact of global funding cuts, new treatments, innovative diagnostics, the use of AI, community engagement and supporting refugee and migrant populations.
Kontakt
Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. Christoph Lange
DZIF TTU TB (ClinTB)
T +49 4537 / 188-3010 (Sekretariat)
F +49 4537 / 188-6030
clange@fz-borstel.de
Nur-Kamila Kandela, a child TB survivor and medical student from Denmark, reminded delegates of their responsibility to make the most of the Union Conference: “I have lived and experienced the profound impact this disease can have – straining relationships, carrying emotional burdens, and leaving lasting scars on both mental and physical health. “It’s heartbreaking that, despite being curable, TB continues to claim lives every day around the globe and stigmatise those affected. The Copenhagen meeting provides an important forum where survivors, advocates, and experts come together to share knowledge, discuss experiences, and coordinate efforts to reduce the global burden of TB.”
The Research Center Borstel was represented with a series of contributions. Among them was Steffen Pichlo, who presented the results of tuberculosis diagnostics using a new fully automated method for detecting lipoarabinomannan (LAM) in sputum, which meets the World Health Organization's criteria for a near-point-of-care test for sputum samples. Dariusz Wölk presented a study from Moldova on the importance of diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis using respiratory masks. This study demonstrated an additional advantage of this method. In her contributions, Johanna Eggeling showed changes in the human immune system caused by tuberculosis and the extent to which these changes regress under therapy. Her work forms the basis for new treatment methods that aim to restore balance to the immune system. Maja Reimann presented two of her own patented molecular biological methods for monitoring the progress of tuberculosis therapy. Sophie Meier presented long-term results of the treatment of antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis in a large nationwide cohort from Latvia, with the surprising result that many more affected individuals are cured than previously assumed. Anca Vasiliu presented study data from several African countries that illustrate the impact of malnutrition on the survival of children with tuberculosis. She also presented data on screening tests of 22,000 peri-partal women from Papua New Guinea, where 1.7% of women were identified as having active tuberculosis. Her presentations are the result of work with the Global TB Program at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, in collaboration with Professor Anna Maria Mandalakas.
“The Union conference is the annual highlight for the exchange of the latest scientific advances and for meeting colleagues that are united to decrease the burden of tuberculosis and other lung diseases around the globe. The spirit at the Union is unmatched by any other conference,” says Prof. Christoph Lange, Secretary General of the Union and Medical Director of the Research Center Borstel.
Be sure to watch the final wrap up video that captures the energy, impact and inspiration of the Union Conference 2025: https://youtu.be/-NyKfAM7ioQ.
Best-selling author John Green during his Keynote Lecture, copyright: Alex Metcalf
