The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a record 8.2 million new cases of tuberculosis (TB) diagnosed worldwide in 2023, marking the highest figure since the agency began monitoring global TB statistics in 1995. The findings are detailed in the WHO’s Global Tuberculosis Report 2024, released on Tuesday, which reveals a mixed landscape in the global battle against TB, characterized by significant challenges and underfunding.
Key Findings from the Report
- Rise in New Cases: The total number of new TB cases rose from 7.5 million in 2022 to 8.2 million last year. However, the WHO estimates that the actual number of people who contracted the disease in 2023 was around 10.8 million, indicating that many cases go undiagnosed.
- Decrease in Deaths: While the number of new infections increased, TB-related deaths decreased from 1.32 million in 2022 to 1.25 million in 2023, reflecting some progress in treatment and care.
- Incidence Rate: The TB incidence rate reached 134 new cases per 100,000 people, representing a slight increase of 0.2 percent compared to the previous year.
Global Distribution and Demographics
TB remains a significant health challenge, particularly in 30 high-burden countries. The report highlights that five countries—India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan—account for more than half of the global TB burden, with India alone accounting for over a quarter of all cases. Demographically, 55 percent of those who developed TB were men, 33 percent were women, and 12 percent were children and young adolescents.
Causes and Risk Factors
The WHO identified several major risk factors contributing to the rise in TB cases, including:
- Undernutrition
- HIV infection
- Alcohol use disorders
- Diabetes
- Smoking, particularly among men
Funding Shortfall
The report also underscores a critical funding shortfall, revealing that only $5.7 billion of the required $22 billion global annual funding target for TB prevention and care was met last year. The WHO has called for countries to fulfill their commitments to expand the use of existing tools for TB prevention, detection, and treatment.
Conclusion
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO chief, expressed his frustration over the continued impact of TB, stating, “The fact that TB still kills and sickens so many people is an outrage, when we have the tools to prevent it, detect it and treat it.” He urged all countries to prioritize TB control efforts to end the epidemic and ensure the well-being of vulnerable populations.
