Epidemiology and Challenges to the Elimination of Global Tuberculosis

Abstract

Current trends of TB rates indicate the Millennium Development Goal of TB elimination by 2050 will not be achieved. The majority of incident cases are occurring in population dense and HIV-endemic regions of Africa and Asia. The persistence of TB in the setting of poor existing health infrastructure has led to a rise in drug-resistant cases, exacerbated by the strong association with HIV co-infection. Spreading drug-resistance threatens to undo decades of progress in controlling the disease. Several significant gaps can be identified in various aspects of national and international-directed TB control efforts. Various governing bodies and international organizations need to address the immediate challenges. This paper highlights some of the major policies lawmakers and funding institutions should consider. Existing economic and social obstacles must be overcome if TB elimination is to be a reachable goal.