24 March marks World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, an annual global campaign to raise awareness of one of the world’s most persistent infectious diseases. The date commemorates the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 1882 by Robert Koch, a breakthrough that paved the way for diagnosis and treatment.
Despite more than a century of medical progress, TB remains a major global health challenge. World TB Day is not only about awareness, it is a call to action for governments, healthcare providers, and organisations to strengthen prevention, detection, and care.
The Global Impact of Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis continues to have devastating health, social, and economic consequences worldwide:
- 10.7 million people fell ill with TB in 2024
- 1.23 million people died from TB in 2024
- TB remains the leading cause of death from a single infectious disease globally
- Since 2000, 83 million lives have been saved through global TB efforts
Source: World Health Organization
TB is also closely linked to inequality. It disproportionately affects the most vulnerable populations, including those living in poverty, people with compromised immune systems, and individuals with limited access to healthcare.
The UK Picture: A Continuing Public Health Issue
While often perceived as a disease of the past, TB remains a serious public health concern in England.
According to the UK Health Security Agency:
- 5,424 TB cases were reported in England in 2025
- This represents a 1.1% decrease from 2024 (5,487 cases)
- 81.6% of cases were in people born outside the UK
- TB is strongly associated with deprivation and urban populations
Notification rate: 9.4 per 100,000 population, higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Source: UK Health Security Agency
These figures highlight that while progress has been made, TB has not been eliminated, and vigilance remains essential.
Understanding TB: Symptoms and Transmission
TB is a bacterial infection, most commonly affecting the lungs (pulmonary TB), though it can impact other parts of the body.
Common symptoms include:
- Persistent cough lasting more than 3 weeks
- Fever and night sweats
- Weight loss and loss of appetite
- Fatigue
TB spreads through the air when a person with active TB coughs, releasing infectious droplets. While TB is preventable and curable, delayed diagnosis increases the risk of transmission and complications.
Source: NHS guidance
Challenges in Eliminating TB
Despite global efforts, several challenges continue to slow progress:
1. Undiagnosed Cases
In the European region, 1 in 5 TB cases go undiagnosed or unreported, increasing transmission risk.
Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
2. Drug-Resistant TB
Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a major threat, with only around 40% of affected individuals accessing treatment globally.
3. Health Inequalities
TB is driven by social and economic factors, including poor housing, limited healthcare access, and marginalisation.
4. System Pressures
Global crises and funding constraints risk reversing progress, making sustained investment essential.
World TB Day 2026 Theme: “Yes! We Can End TB!”
The 2026 theme, led by the World Health Organization, is a message of hope and urgency:
“Yes! We can end TB!”
This theme emphasises:
- Strong national leadership
- Investment in healthcare systems
- Rapid adoption of new diagnostics and treatments
- Collaboration across sectors
Evidence shows that every $1 invested in TB can generate up to $43 in economic and health returns, underlining the importance of sustained commitment.
A Shared Responsibility
World TB Day is a reminder that ending TB requires a collective effort, from global policymakers to local care providers.
Through increased awareness, investment, and high-quality training, we can move closer to a future where TB is no longer a public health threat.
Yes, we can end TB.