WHO Reports 3% Drop in Global Tuberculosis Deaths to 1.23 Million in 2024
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that global deaths from tuberculosis (TB) dropped by 3% in 2024, marking a significant step forward in the fight against one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases. According to the latest WHO Global Tuberculosis Report, an estimated 1.23 million people died from TB last year, down from 1.27 million in 2023.
The decline has been attributed to improved diagnosis, expanded access to treatment and the rollout of more effective preventive therapies across high burden countries. WHO noted that several nations in Africa and Asia made notable progress in scaling up community-based health initiatives and integrating TB programs into broader healthcare systems.
Despite the progress, WHO warned that tuberculosis remains a major global health concern, with over 10 million people still falling ill with the disease annually. The organization emphasized that continued investment, innovation, and political commitment are essential to sustain momentum and meet the global goal of ending TB by 2030.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed the decline as a sign of hope but urged countries not to slow down. “Every percentage point of decline represents thousands of lives saved, but millions remain at risk. We must accelerate efforts to ensure universal access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment,” he said. Health experts believe that sustained global collaboration, stronger health systems and increased funding for TB research will be vital to maintaining the downward trend and ultimately eradicating the disease.