TB has claimed the lives of over 1 million people every year, yet a quarter of the world’s population unknowingly carries a dormant TB infection.
Tuberculosis (TB) has been a major public health threat for thousands of years, with evidence of its existence dating back to 4,000 B.C. Despite being curable for decades, TB continues to claim the lives of over 1 million people every year.
The Prevalence of Undiagnosed Cases
A staggering quarter of the world’s population, or approximately 2 billion people, unknowingly carries a dormant TB infection. This is further complicated by the fact that nearly 3 million cases are never diagnosed or reported each year, creating a reservoir for continued transmission. These undiagnosed cases are known as the ‘missing millions.’
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
It primarily affects the lungs but can also spread to other parts of the body.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), TB is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide, with 1.5 million deaths in 2020.
The disease is often transmitted through inhalation of airborne droplets from an infected person's cough or sneeze.
Risk factors include compromised immune systems, poverty, and malnutrition.
The Resilience of Tuberculosis
TB has proven remarkably resilient and difficult to contain. While there are ways to diagnose and treat the disease, several critical barriers continue to prevent its elimination. One major issue is the high cost of effective TB tests, which can be prohibitively expensive for many patients.
The Threat of Antibiotic Resistance
TB bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics, especially when treatments are interrupted or incomplete. This can lead to more severe and costly treatment courses, such as multidrug-resistant TB. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 400,000 new cases of drug-resistant TB occurred in 2023 alone.
Antibiotic resistance is a significant global health threat, caused by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), antibiotic resistance results in approximately 700,000 deaths annually.
In the United States alone, it's estimated that over 2 million people are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria each year, resulting in 23,000 deaths.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that antibiotic resistance costs the US healthcare system over $20 billion annually.
The Need for Improved Vaccines
While the BCG vaccine offers some protection against TB, it is not effective for adults and has limited funding. In contrast, COVID-19 vaccines received billions of dollars in development funding over just a few years. The lack of investment in TB vaccine research is concerning, given the significant burden of the disease.
Global Action Needed to Eradicate TB
Ending TB will require multi-sector action, including strengthening healthcare systems, addressing poverty and malnutrition, improving housing conditions, and ensuring universal access to diagnosis and treatment. Recent funding decisions have raised concerns about undermining progress in high-burden countries. However, advocates, survivors, scientists, and donors are coming together to demand change and translate promises into action.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern worldwide, with an estimated 10 million new cases and 1.5 million deaths in 2020.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the End TB Strategy, aiming to reduce TB incidence by 80% and mortality by 90% by 2030.
Key interventions include improving diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, as well as addressing drug-resistant TB.
According to WHO, $13 billion is needed annually from 2022-2030 to fund the global response to TB eradication.
The momentum from the 2023 UN high-level meeting on TB is a promising sign that global leaders recognize the urgency and opportunity to end TB within our lifetime. With new molecular diagnostic tools, several candidates for TB vaccines in late-stage clinical trials, and the launch of the Tuberculosis Vaccine Accelerator Council, there is hope that we can finally defeat this ancient killer.
