The Facts
According to a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday, tuberculosis replaced COVID-19 as the leading infectious disease killer in 2023.
Last year, 8.2M people were diagnosed with tuberculosis, up from 7.5M in 2022. This is the highest number since the WHO began global tuberculosis monitoring in 1995.
The Spin
Narrative A
It's shocking that tuberculosis still claims millions of lives worldwide annually. This shows that research, detection, and treatment of the disease continue to be neglected despite advancements in the medical field. It's crucial now more than ever to find the cure and eradicate the disease which poses a significant threat to public health.
Narrative B
While tuberculosis is called a neglected disease, since it's most prevalent in impoverished countries with weak health systems, there has been progress in controlling it globally. Despite COVID-19 disrupting tuberculosis control programs and affecting vulnerable populations, the number of cases detected has increased, and the number of lives saved has grown.
