Tuberculosis mostly affects adults in their most productive years. However, all age groups are at risk. Over 25% of cases and deaths are in the African region.
People who are infected with HIV are 20 to 30 times more likely to develop active TB (see TB and HIV section below). The risk of active TB is also greater in persons suffering from other conditions that impair the immune system.
One million children (0–14 years of age) fell ill with TB, and 170 000 children (excluding children with HIV) died from the disease in 2015.

Tobacco use greatly increases the risk of TB disease and death. More than 20% of TB cases worldwide are attributable to smoking.

ACT members have consistently reported significant challenges in contributing to an effective TB response at both the national and regional levels. There is a clear ask from ACT members to increase the depth of their knowledge and skills to be able to effectively influence policies and spending. This has led to series of capacity building activities for activists and people affected by TB organized by ACT with support of Global Fund, Stop TB Partnership, GCTA, EANNASO and Afro Global Alliance. The current strategic plan which is underdevelopment also highlights series of capacity building for organizations and individuals in the continent.

ACT actively informs, trains and engages civil society organizations and individuals working on TB at national level. It does this via regular country visits, online webinars and publications on relevant TB issues, ad hoc financial assistance to members to attend international and regional conferences, meetings and workshops, as well as various individual and organization-based mentoring activities