According to latest Tuberculosis news, Over 8 million people were diagnosed with Tuberculosis worldwide in 2023, the highest number of cases recorded since WHO began monitoring TB cases in 1995.
With approximately 1.25 million deaths in 2023, Tuberculosis has returned as the world’s top infectious disease killer, overtaking COVID-19.
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In 2023, Latest Tuberculosis News reports that 8.2 million people were newly diagnosed with TB, the highest count since WHO began monitoring TB cases globally in 1995.
This number rose from 7.5 million new diagnoses in 2022, illustrating a concerning resurgence and placing TB at the front of infectious disease mortality.
According to latest Tuberculosis news, the global death toll from TB in 2023 was 1.25 million, a slight decrease from 1.32 million in 2022. However, the illness burden remains high with an estimated 10.8 million individuals affected.
The disease disproportionately affects populations in 30 high-burden countries primarily low and middle income nations.
India leads with 26% of global TB cases, followed by Indonesia (10%), China (6.8%), the Philippines (6.8%) and Pakistan (6.3%). Combined, these five countries account for 56% of global TB cases.
Of the 10.8 Million Estimated Tuberculosis Cases:
- 55% were men
- 33% were women
- 12% were children and young adolescents
Multidrug-resistant TB poses a significant health challenge. In 2023, 400,000 individuals were estimated to have MDR or rifampicin-resistant TB, but only 44% received diagnosis and treatment. Treatment success for MDR/RR-TB reached a 68% success rate.
Global funding for TB care and prevention has declined, with only $5.7 billion available of the targeted $22 billion needed for 2023.
LMICs, where 98% of TB cases occur face severe financial shortfalls that restrict their capacity to implement essential TB services.
The Latest Tuberculosis News underlines that without additional international support, the TB burden will likely remain unmanageable in these nations.
Although the United States remains the largest donor and the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is vital for TB response in LMICs, funding remains insufficient.
WHO advocates for urgent increases in financial aid to support TB prevention, diagnostic and treatment services globally.
According to latest Tuberculosis news, Research funding to advance TB treatment and prevention remains at only 20% of the $5 billion target.
Among the 400,000 people estimated to have drug-resistant TB in 2023, fewer than half were able to access diagnosis and treatment.
Tuberculosis testing remains limited in low-resource settings. Advocacy groups have highlighted the need for affordable diagnostic solutions such as the GeneXpert test, which can be made available for $5 to support testing.
WHO addresses that access to TB treatments is critical but insufficiently funded, leaving many patients untreated or inadequately managed especially those with multidrug-resistant TB.
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In 2023, only $5.7 billion was allocated for TB globally, covering just 26% of the required funding for TB prevention and treatment efforts.
The report estimates that up to half of TB-affected households in lower-income countries face healthcare costs often exceeding 20% of their annual income.
WHO urges governments and global donors to fulfill their commitments made in 2023 to increase funding for TB care, prevention and research.
Increased financial investment in research for TB vaccines is essential to meet targets by 2027. New vaccines are seen as critical to TB prevention in high-risk populations.
WHO highlights the importance of advancing diagnostic tools and treatments that are both effective and accessible for low-income populations to ensure early detection and reduce transmission.
Doctors Without Borders and 150 global health partners advocate for the US company Cepheid to lower the price of their TB diagnostic tests, urging the company to prioritize people’s lives.
According to latest Tuberculosis news, WHO’s goal is to eliminate TB as a public health issue by 2030. This mission is jeopardized by the funding gap.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged global leaders to expand the use of available tools for TB prevention and treatment.
According to the Latest Tuberculosis News, 5 Primary Risk Factors Contribute to the Surge in TB Cases:
- Undernutrition
- HIV infection
- Alcohol use disorders
- Smoking
- Diabetes
WHO’s report provides for the first time, an analysis of the economic burden on TB-affected households. In LMICs, half of these households face catastrophic costs (over 20% of annual income) to access diagnosis and treatment.
India’s high TB burden underlines its critical position in the global fight against TB, as the country alone accounts for 26% of global TB cases.
India’s National Tuberculosis Elimination Program targets TB eradication by 2025, five years ahead of the WHO’s global target.
Despite efforts to improve diagnostic tools, testing access and treatment options, Latest Tuberculosis News reports that resource gaps remain.
WHO calls for a unified effort to increase awareness and financial support for TB control. With nearly 30% of asthma cases related to poor air quality, a similar correlation may exist between environmental factors and TB.
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