Tuberculosis (TB) has emerged as the world’s deadliest infectious disease, responsible for an estimated 1.25 million deaths in 2023, including 161,000 among individuals living with HIV.
After being surpassed by COVID-19 for three years, TB has reclaimed its position as the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. It remains the primary cause of death among people with HIV and contributes significantly to fatalities related to antimicrobial resistance.
An estimated 10.8 million people worldwide fell ill with TB in 2023, affecting all age groups and present in every country. Despite its widespread prevalence, TB is preventable and curable with timely intervention and appropriate treatment.
Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) continues to pose a major public health challenge, with only two in five individuals with drug-resistant TB able to access treatment in 2023. This underscores the urgent need for improved healthcare access and stronger global efforts to combat the disease.
Since 2000, global TB control initiatives have saved an estimated 79 million lives. However, achieving the targets set at the 2023 United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB requires an annual investment of $22 billion for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care. Ending the TB epidemic by 2030 remains a critical health target under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affects the lungs and spreads through the air when infected individuals cough or sneeze. Approximately one-quarter of the global population is estimated to carry the TB bacteria, but only 5–10% of those infected will develop active TB disease. While individuals with latent TB do not transmit the infection, untreated TB can be fatal. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment are essential for controlling the disease and reducing its impact worldwide.
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