the health strategist
institute for strategic health transformation
& digital technology
Joaquim Cardoso MSc.
Chief Research and Strategy Officer (CRSO),
Chief Editor and Senior Advisor
September 26, 2023
One page summary
What is the message?
Tuberculosis (TB) may seem like a disease of the past in affluent countries, but it remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, claiming about 1.5 million lives annually.
The global health community is increasingly concerned about TB’s potential resurgence, especially due to drug-resistant strains.
A recent United Nations high-level meeting addressed the urgent need to combat TB, resulting in significant advancements in testing affordability and availability.
Liu Jie–Xinhua/Getty Images
Key Takeaways:
1. TB’s Global Impact:
While TB deaths are low in affluent nations due to public health investments and surveillance, the disease remains a major global threat. It killed approximately 1.5 million people in 2022, regaining its position as the deadliest infectious disease, surpassing COVID-19.
2. Potential for Drug-Resistant Strains:
TB’s unchecked spread in developing countries could lead to drug-resistant mutations, posing a significant risk even to wealthy nations. Drug-resistant TB strains have a higher mortality rate and require more toxic treatments.
3. Contagious Nature:
TB primarily spreads through breathing, especially in crowded indoor spaces. While less contagious than COVID-19, the potential for mutations to increase its contagiousness is a growing concern.
4. United Nations Response:
The United Nations recently held a high-level meeting to address TB, where countries reported on progress and future plans. The international community aims to reduce global TB cases by 80% by 2030.
5. TB Activism:
Prominent TB activist John Green, author of “The Fault in Our Stars,” has used social media campaigns to pressure major companies to lower the prices of TB tests and drugs in lower and middle-income countries.
6. Social Media Impact:
Green’s efforts and social media pressure led Danaher, a U.S. company, to reduce the price of TB test cartridges, making testing more affordable and accessible globally.
7. Increased Testing:
The price reduction allows countries to conduct an additional 5 million TB tests. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in breaking the chain of transmission.
8. Positive Impact:
It is estimated that around 300,000 people will be diagnosed earlier thanks to the reduced price of Danaher’s test cartridges.
In conclusion:
Tuberculosis remains a global health crisis, with the potential for drug-resistant strains and increased contagion.
The recent United Nations meeting and activism efforts have led to progress in making TB testing more affordable and accessible, offering hope for earlier diagnosis and effective containment of the disease.
DEEP DIVE
This summary was written based on the article “Tuberculosis Could Be the Next Global Health Crisis. Is the Worls Readyw”, published by Time and written by Anna Gordon, on September 26, 2023.
To read the full article, click here.
