How does tuberculosis impact global health?

Tuberculosis (TB) significantly impacts global health due to its status as a leading infectious disease that results in millions of deaths each year. TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body. The health burden is pronounced, especially in low- and middle-income countries where healthcare resources may be limited, and where TB transmission is more prevalent.

The disease’s ability to spread from person to person through respiratory droplets, coupled with its potential to develop drug resistance, makes TB a persistent public health challenge. Global health organizations, like the World Health Organization, continue to emphasize the importance of TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment to reduce its mortality rates and control its spread on a global scale. Therefore, recognizing TB as a leading cause of infectious disease mortality underscores its crucial role in global health discussions and policies aimed at public health improvement.