Global tuberculosis report 2015

The Global Tuberculosis Report 2015 provides a comprehensive assessment of the global tuberculosis (TB) epidemic and progress in TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment using data from 205 countries and territories. Published at the transition from the Millennium Development Goals to the Sustainable Development Goals, the report evaluates achievement of the 2015 global TB targets and outlines priorities for implementation of the End TB Strategy. It documents trends in TB incidence, prevalence and mortality, highlighting that substantial reductions in disease burden have been achieved since 1990, although TB remains one of the world’s leading infectious causes of death.

The report reviews key components of the global TB response, including case notification and treatment outcomes, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), laboratory strengthening and diagnostic technologies, collaborative TB/HIV activities, financing, and research and development of new diagnostics, drugs and vaccines. It identifies persistent gaps in case detection, treatment coverage and funding, while describing progress in the use of rapid molecular diagnostics and expansion of antiretroviral therapy among HIV-positive TB patients. The publication emphasizes the need for strengthened health systems, sustained investment and innovation to achieve future global targets for ending the TB epidemic.