Peace Bridge to glow red March 24 for tuberculosis awareness

The Peace Bridge will be illuminated in red on next Tuesday as part of a national campaign marking World Tuberculosis Day, joining more than 65 landmarks across Canada in a coordinated effort to raise awareness of the disease as infection rates rise and global health funding declines.

According to a Thursday news release from Results Canada, this year will include the highest number of participating Canadian sites to date, spanning cities from Vancouver to St. John’s.

The Peace Bridge lighting is one of several in Ontario, including sites in Niagara Falls, Welland, Toronto and Ottawa.

Tuberculosis remains a significant public health issue despite being preventable and treatable. The disease caused 1.25 million deaths worldwide in 2023, according to figures cited by Results Canada, and continues to affect populations facing poverty and limited access to care.

In Canada, recent outbreaks have been reported in Nunavik, Labrador and parts of Edmonton, with higher risk among Indigenous and immigrant communities.

Taryn Russell, executive director of Results Canada, stated in the release that G7 countries are planning to cut international development and global health funding by up to 28 per cent.

“The devastating effects of the cuts to international assistance on the spread of infectious diseases cannot be understated,” said Russell.

Canada is planning to cut $2.7 billion from tuberculosis treatment and vaccination campaigns in developing countries.

Russell is encouraging residents to visit the Peace Bridge on the evening of March 24 and share images online to prompt discussion about tuberculosis and public health policy.

World Tuberculosis Day is observed each year on March 24 to mark the 1882 discovery of the bacterium that causes the disease.

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