In 2023, tuberculosis (TB) surged globally, with a record-breaking 8.2 million new cases reported, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This alarming rise underscores TB’s position as the leading infectious disease killer, surpassing even COVID-19. The surge highlights both progress and setbacks in global TB efforts, revealing gaps in funding and persistent challenges that hinder the fight against this deadly disease.
Key Findings of the WHO 2024 Global Tuberculosis Report
The WHO report details that TB cases have increased substantially across several regions, particularly in high-burden countries. India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan alone accounted for 56% of cases worldwide. The Americas also saw a notable rise, with approximately 342,000 new cases in 2023, marking a 6.6% increase from the previous year. Encouragingly, the number of deaths in the Americas declined by 5.4% thanks to improved diagnosis and treatment rates, which rose from 76% in 2022 to 78% in 2023.
TB continues to disproportionately affect specific regions and vulnerable populations. Thirty countries bear the highest TB burden, and men comprise 55% of those affected, while women and children represent 33% and 12% of cases, respectively. In some Caribbean countries, incidence rates have dropped to near elimination levels, showcasing the effectiveness of targeted interventions.
The report underscores the growing challenge of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), with a concerning gap in treatment. While treatment success rates for MDR-TB reached 68%, only 44% of the estimated 400,000 people with MDR-TB received proper treatment in 2023. This shortfall emphasizes the urgent need for robust solutions and wider implementation of new technologies.
To counter these challenges, WHO and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recommend that countries adopt advanced technologies like rapid molecular tests, which are essential for early detection. The report also suggests AI-assisted radiography to help identify TB cases in high-risk communities. Although the use of molecular tests increased from 40% in 2022 to 48% in 2023, reaching the target of 100% remains crucial for effective TB control.
Global funding for TB care and prevention continues to fall short of targets, creating a significant barrier to progress. In 2023, only $5.7 billion of the $22 billion needed was allocated, covering just 26% of the target. Low- and middle-income countries, which shoulder 98% of the TB burden, face severe funding deficits. International donations, particularly from the Global Fund and the U.S. government, remain essential but insufficient to meet the global demand for TB services.
While TB research is advancing, it is significantly underfunded, with only 20% of the annual $5 billion target met in 2022. This funding gap delays the development of essential diagnostics, medications, and vaccines that could drastically reduce TB incidence. WHO’s TB Vaccine Accelerator Council, initiated by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is at the forefront of these efforts to expedite vaccine research.
Dr. Tedros highlights that the persistent impact of TB is unacceptable given the available tools for prevention, detection, and treatment. WHO calls for global commitment to using these tools effectively, alongside increased funding, to finally bring an end to TB’s devastating toll.
The resurgence of TB as the top infectious disease killer is a stark reminder of the work still needed to combat this global health crisis. As the WHO and other health organizations push for better detection, treatment, and funding, global support and innovation are critical to making significant strides against TB.