On Monday, the World Health Organisation released their annual Global Tuberculosis Report. This report collects primary data from countries across the world to map out global progress towards TB eradication.
The report shows mixed results, with progress made on reducing the number of deaths from TB. However, most other metrics have gone backwards and we look unlikely to meet the targets outlined in the Stop TB Partnership’s ‘End TB Strategy’ and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Some of the key data shows:
1) 7.5 million people were newly diagnosed with TB in 2022. This is the highest number since the WHO began global TB monitoring in 1995 and up from 6.4 million in 2021.
2) TB caused 1.3 million deaths in 2022, down from 1.4 million in 2021. This is almost back to pre-pandemic levels.
3) Covid-related disruptions are estimated to have caused almost half a million excess deaths from TB between 2022 and 2022, compared to the pre-pandemic downward trend.
3) The net reduction in the number of deaths caused by TB between 2015 and 2022 was 19%.The target, set by the ‘End TB Strategy’ aims for a 75% reduction between 2015 and 2025. We are not on track to meet this target.
4) An estimated 10.6 million people developed TB in 2022, up from 10.3 million in 2021.
5) 410,000 people developed multi-drug resistant TB infections. Only 2 in 5 of those with MDR-TB managed to access treatment for their condition.
6) 50% of households with a TB patient face catastrophic economic costs associated with that infection. Catastrophic cost is defined by the total cost related to TB management exceeding 20% of the annual pre-TB household income.
You can find much more granular information in the report.