Tuberculosis kills over 1.2M yearly as global funding falters, WHO warns

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a significant global health threat, claiming over 1.2 million lives and impacting an estimated 10.7 million individuals last year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This alarming figure underscores the persistent challenge posed by this infectious disease.

The WHO's Global Tuberculosis Report 2025 highlights that while there have been ongoing declines in TB cases and deaths, progress is threatened by stagnant funding and inequitable access to care. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that despite being preventable and curable, TB's continued toll of over a million lives annually is unacceptable.

Between 2023 and 2024, TB infections decreased by nearly 2%, and deaths fell by 3%, indicating a recovery in essential health services post-COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, the African region saw a substantial 28% drop in incidence and a 46% reduction in deaths since 2015, while the European region experienced even greater declines with a 39% decrease in incidence and a 49% reduction in deaths.

During the same period, over 100 countries achieved at least a 20% reduction in TB incidence rates, and 65 countries recorded reductions of 35% or more in TB-related deaths. However, the report indicates that 87% of new TB cases in 2024 were concentrated in just 30 countries, with India, Indonesia, and the Philippines accounting for over two-thirds of global cases.

Funding remains a major obstacle, with only $5.9 billion available for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in 2024, a fraction of the $22 billion annual target for 2027. Modeling suggests that long-term cuts to international aid could result in an additional 2 million deaths and 10 million new infections by 2035.

Tereza Kasaeva, director of WHO's Department for HIV, TB, Hepatitis and STIs, stated that funding cuts and persistent epidemic drivers risk reversing hard-won gains. She stressed that political commitment and global solidarity are crucial to overcoming this ancient killer. The WHO is calling for sustained political commitment, increased domestic investment, and intensified research to accelerate progress against TB.