Making social protection a reality for people with TB: a perspective on new global guidance.

TB disproportionately affects poorer, vulnerable people and communities, and has severe social and economic impacts on those affected. However, many countries do not yet include social protection in their programmatic response to TB. Here, we provide a critical perspective on the guidance developed by the WHO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to help countries implement social protection programmes. The guidance emphasises the need for a multisectoral response to TB, and includes practical information on how to design appropriate social protection programmes that respond to the needs of people affected by TB.