Tuberculosis
The World's Deadliest Infectious Disease
Despite being preventable, treatable and curable, tuberculosis kills more people than any other infectious disease. In 2023, 10.8 million people fell ill with TB and approximately 1.3 million people died from the disease—that’s one person every 20 seconds.
Tuberculosis (TB) Kills One Person Every 20 Seconds
Investing in Tuberculosis Saves Lives and Strengthens Economies
- Recent study shows $39 return for each dollar invested in fight against TB.
- A recent study showed that countries with robust tuberculosis programs fared better during COVID-19—noting fewer deaths, more resilient health systems and better long-term outcomes.
Tuberculosis costs the global economy over $12 billion annually in lost productivity and healthcare expenses.
How the Global Fund advances progress against TB
Through investments in the Global Fund Americans have helped drive major progress in the fight against the disease.
From 2002 to 2023, TB deaths dropped by 40% in countries where the Global Fund invests. Without these interventions, TB deaths would have increased by 134% in the same period.
The threat to Americans
In the early 20th century, tuberculosis was one of the leading causes of death in the United States. However, thanks to strong public health efforts and investments in TB diagnostics, screenings and treatments, U.S. TB cases have declined by 85% since 1953.
Still, we have not eradicated the disease fully at home; tuberculosis continues to pose a threat across the United States. Each year, more than 9,000 Americans become infected with TB, with recent outbreaks occurring in Kansas, North Carolina and Florida.
Drug resistance: A growing global health security concern
Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) does not respond to commonly used antibiotics, making current treatments less effective and the disease more difficult to combat.
Increasing MDR-TB cases globally and in the US
- In 2023, only two in five people with MDR-TB had access to effective treatment.
- Drug-resistant strains can pose serious threats to global health security, impacting global stability and military readiness.
- The Global Fund works with partners to support the introduction of new drugs that provide better and faster treatment of drug-resistant TB, and the uptake of new, shorter TB preventive therapies.
- In 2023, the percentage of people treated for drug resistant TB in the countries where the Global Fund invests rose to 44%.
Innovations to end the TB epidemic
The Global Fund invests in cutting-edge innovations that are transforming TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment:
