Global progress against tuberculosis at risk as funding gaps threaten hard-won gains

DCM Editorial Summary: This story has been independently rewritten and summarised for DCM readers to highlight key developments relevant to the region. Original reporting by WHO, click this post to read the original article.

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be one of the most lethal infectious diseases, killing over 1.2 million people and affecting around 10.7 million globally last year, according to the WHO’s latest report. Despite improvements in diagnosis and treatment, challenges like limited funding and unequal access to healthcare threaten ongoing progress. You’ll find that while strides have been made, including better testing and increased treatment availability, the fight against TB remains far from over. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasizes that the disease’s persistence—despite being both preventable and curable—is unacceptable.

You’ll see that recovery is visible in many regions. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of new TB cases dropped by about 2%, and deaths decreased by 3%. This recovery is strongest in regions like Africa and Europe, where significant reductions in TB incidence and mortality were achieved. More than 100 countries have made measurable progress, with 65 of them reducing TB-related deaths by 35% or more. However, in 2024, 87% of global TB cases came from just 30 countries, with eight—led by India and Indonesia—accounting for nearly two-thirds of the total caseload.

Major advances in diagnosis and treatment are a bright spot. In 2024, 8.3 million people received treatment after diagnosis, and rapid testing was used in over half of cases. The treatment success rate for drug-susceptible TB remained strong at 88%, while outcomes for drug-resistant TB improved as well. You’ll also notice a rise in preventive treatments: 5.3 million at-risk individuals received preventative care, more than in previous years.

Social and economic factors still play a large role in the spread of TB. Data now shows large disparities in social protection across high-burden countries. For example, only 3.1% of people in Uganda are covered, compared to 94% in Mongolia. Risk factors like poverty, HIV, diabetes, smoking, and alcohol use continue to drive the epidemic. Tackling TB requires united action across multiple sectors to address these root causes.

Finally, you should be aware that lack of funding is a critical threat. In 2024, TB programs received only $5.9 billion—a fraction of the $22 billion target. Research investment also falls short, though progress is being made with new tests, drugs, and vaccines in development. WHO urges global leaders to maintain political will, increase domestic budgets, and expand research initiatives. Without these efforts, future gains could be rolled back, with millions more lives at risk.