TB diagnoses exceed eight million in 2023, highest on record according to WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that tuberculosis (TB) deaths surpassed those from Covid-19 in 2023, with 1.25 million fatalities. Over 8 million new TB cases were diagnosed, marking the highest number since monitoring began in 1995. Countries in Asia, particularly India, Indonesia, and China, accounted for the majority of new cases. The report highlights that TB disproportionately affects marginalized populations, with men making up 55% of new diagnoses. Despite some progress in treatment, funding for TB prevention and care remains significantly below the required levels. In 2023, only $5.7 billion was available, while $22 billion is needed annually to combat the disease effectively.