Tuberculosis Cases Reach Record High in 2023 According to WHO

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tuberculosis cases have reached a record high in 2023, with 8.2 million reported cases. This marks a significant increase from the previous year, with 1.25 million deaths attributed to the disease. The incidence rate of TB has risen to 134 new cases per 100,000 people, a 0.2% increase from the previous year. The disease has a disproportionate impact on certain countries, with 30 high-burden countries accounting for a significant portion of cases. The countries with the highest number of cases include India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan. The gender breakdown of TB cases shows that 55% of cases are men, 33% are women, and 12% are children and young adolescents. The WHO has identified several risk factors that contribute to the spread of TB, including undernutrition, HIV infection, alcohol use disorders, diabetes, and smoking. To combat the disease, the WHO has set a funding target of $22 billion, but currently, only $5.7 billion is available. This significant funding gap highlights the need for increased investment in TB prevention and treatment programs.