Seventeen-month-old Zamira fell ill after returning from the Philippines. Back in the United States, she had severe vomiting, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Her symptoms seemed completely out of place for her healthy lifestyle.
The onset was sudden. At first, doctors misdiagnosed her with meningitis. For two months, she stayed in the hospital while they treated her for the wrong condition.
Finally, they found the true cause: tuberculosis meningitis. This form of TB infects the tissue around the brain or spinal cord.
Fortunately, with the correct treatment, Zamira fully recovered. Her ordeal led her mother to urge the world to end tuberculosis. Still, the fight against TB is far from over.
How Dangerous is TB to Global Health?
Tuberculosis is treatable and preventable. Yet, it remains the deadliest infectious disease globally. TB claims 1.6 million lives each year.
Low-income countries bear the heaviest burden. Poor social and economic conditions allow TB to thrive.
Historically, TB caused up to 25% of deaths in the United States. In the present, improved healthcare has reduced its impact in wealthier nations.
In countries like India, TB remains widespread. Fighting it requires coordination between governments, businesses, and civic organizations.
What Factors Stand in the Way of TB Eradication?
Ending TB requires extensive global cooperation and a fairer distribution of the world’s resources. The cost of TB drugs is out of reach for many poor countries.
Cramped, unsanitary conditions worsen the spread of TB. For example, in Delhi, India, one in twelve unhoused individuals has tuberculosis.
Screening and diagnosing TB is also expensive. The most common medications are costly and must be taken daily for months or even years.
Side effects include nausea and organ damage, making it hard for patients to complete their treatment.
In many developing nations, TB is underfunded compared to other health issues.
What Efforts Are Needed to Eradicate Tuberculosis?
Ending TB requires sustained global investment throughout the world. Global efforts led by the World Health Organization (WHO) aim to end TB by 2030. In 2023, the U.S. Congress pledged more financial support.
India has become a model in the fight against TB. Over the past four years, India increased its TB funding to $1.8 billion. The country seeks to eliminate TB by 2025, five years ahead of the WHO goal.
As a result, nearly 90% of TB cases in India are now successfully diagnosed. Preventative medications are prescribed more consistently, stopping transmission.
USAID also reduced the cost of TB medications and tests by 55%. This allows millions more people to access treatment.
New technologies are available to help end TB. These include portable X-rays, AI diagnostics, and shorter medication regimens. They are speeding up diagnosis and prevention. Yet, these innovations are often unaffordable in the regions that need them most.
Vaccines offer a promising path forward. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated vaccine development timelines. New TB vaccines could be a game-changer.
A TB vaccine with 50% effectiveness could prevent 76 million cases and 8.5 million deaths over 25 years. One with 75% effectiveness could prevent 110 million cases and save 12.3 million lives.
Currently, only one TB vaccine—the century-old BCG—is approved. It once offered strong protection, but its effectiveness has declined. Thankfully, more than 30 vaccines are in development.
Every dollar invested in ending TB yields up to $39 in health and economic benefits.
Conclusion
The fight against TB is winnable, but only with global action and investment. Every step today could save millions tomorrow.
Have an upcoming trip? Passport Health offers a wide variety of options to help keep you safe, including vaccines. Call or book online to schedule your appointment today.
Logan Hamilton is a health and wellness freelance writer for hire. He’s passionate about crafting crystal-clear, captivating, and credible content that elevates brands and establishes trust. When not writing, Logan can be found hiking, sticking his nose in bizarre books, or playing drums in a local rock band. Find him at loganjameshamilton.com.
Wow, I had no idea how much of the globe is struggling with TB. Thanks for the news. (We can be extra careful when we travel there.)