Record High Tuberculosis Cases in 2023

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tuberculosis cases have reached a record high in 2023, with 8.2 million reported cases worldwide. This marks a significant increase from the previous year, with 1.25 million deaths attributed to the disease. The incidence rate of tuberculosis stands at 134 new cases per 100,000 people, indicating a substantial burden on global health. The disease is most prevalent in 30 high-burden countries, with India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan accounting for half of all cases. Notably, men account for 55% of cases, while women make up 33%, and children and young adolescents account for 12%. The risk factors for tuberculosis include undernutrition, HIV infection, alcohol use disorders, diabetes, and smoking. The WHO has set a funding target of $22 billion to combat the disease, but only $5.7 billion is currently available. This disparity highlights the need for increased investment in tuberculosis prevention and treatment efforts.