Asia-Pacific Sustainability Action Awards-Sustainability Action Awards SDG03:Bronze
Public Health Bureau, Yunlin County
Long-Term Care LTBI: Ending Tuberculosis, Safeguarding Health
Yunlin County, in response to the challenges of an aging population, has launched the “Enhanced Tuberculosis Prevention Program in Long-Term Care Facilities” to reduce the risk of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) and safeguard the health of older adults. As a super-aged society, Yunlin has a high number of long-term care institutions, and older adults are a high-risk group for tuberculosis. To prevent cluster infections, this initiative integrates early screening, preventive treatment, health education, and policy mechanisms. It brings together multiple stakeholders—including local government, healthcare institutions, non-profit organizations, and long-term care facilities—to implement comprehensive LTBI management. Key components of the program include prioritizing screening for older adults and individuals with compromised immunity, and adopting the Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) to enhance diagnostic accuracy. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) and medication safety assessments have been established, along with a digital tracking system and key performance indicators (KPIs)—such as screening rates and treatment completion rates—to monitor outcomes. In addition,