lives saved since 2000 by global efforts to end TB
people fell ill with TB in 2019
people died of TB in 2019
people fell ill with drug-resistant TB in 2019
TB remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious killers. Each day, nearly 4000 lose their lives to TB and close to 28,000 people fall ill with this preventable and curable disease. Global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 63 million lives since the year 2000.
The theme of World TB Day 2021 - ‘The Clock is Ticking’ –conveys the sense that the world is running out of time to act on the commitments to end TB made by global leaders. This is especially critical in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic that has put End TB progress at risk, and to ensure equitable access to prevention and care in line with WHO’s drive towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.
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Advocacy and communication toolkit
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Spotlight on systematic screening for TB disease
Systematic screening for TB disease is the systematic identification of people at risk for TB disease, in a predetermined target group, by assessing symptoms and using tests, examinations or other procedures that can be applied rapidly.
Systematic screening can benefit people who are at risk of getting TB, as early detection and start of treatment can improve their outcomes and reduce their costs. It can also benefit entire communities at higher risk for TB, by reducing the prevalence of TB disease and preventing future people from falling ill with TB.
- WHO consolidated guidelines on systematic screening for tuberculosis disease
- WHO operational handbook on systematic screening for tuberculosis disease
- Screening for TB disease website
- Q&A: Systematic screening for TB
- Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TB detection and mortality in 2020
- Factsheet on systematic screening for TB disease
Live social media Q&A on tuberculosis
