WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis: module 6: tuberculosis and comorbidities, 2nd ed.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis, focusing on module 6, which addresses tuberculosis and its comorbidities. These guidelines are a critical component of the WHO's End TB Strategy, emphasizing the importance of managing TB comorbidities and risk factors to effectively combat the disease. The document consolidates the most current WHO recommendations for tackling TB in conjunction with significant co-occurring health conditions.

This updated second edition builds upon the first, which specifically focused on HIV-associated TB and updated policies for collaborative TB/HIV activities. The new edition expands to include consolidated recommendations for interventions aimed at addressing undernutrition in individuals with TB. It also incorporates guidance on providing food assistance to households of people with TB living in food-insecure environments and outlines strategies for screening undernourished or food-insecure individuals for TB.

Globally, HIV and undernutrition are identified as primary health-related drivers contributing to the burden of TB. Both conditions significantly impair TB treatment outcomes, with TB being the leading cause of death for individuals living with HIV. Furthermore, nearly half of all people diagnosed with TB suffer from undernutrition, which unfortunately elevates their risk of premature mortality.

These comprehensive guidelines are designed for a broad audience, including ministries of health, particularly TB programs and departments managing related health conditions and risk factors. They are also intended for implementing partners, technical and funding agencies, civil society organizations, affected communities, clinicians, and public health practitioners. To support practical application, the guidelines are accompanied by an operational handbook offering actionable advice for implementing recommendations on a scale necessary for national and global impact.