Epidemiology: the current burden of tuberculosis and its determinants

Ending TB has been a global struggle for decades. Despite numerous efforts to accelerate the reduction in incidence and mortality, TB continues to be one of the top infectious killers worldwide. Global advances in reducing TB burden have been halted or reversed by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with major effects on TB diagnosis and treatment. This chapter summarises evidence on the current burden of disease and on the different risk factors for TB, as well as their implications for past and current TB burden. There is an urgent need to strengthen our efforts and get back on track to achieve global TB targets, while taking into account risk factors and social determinants to help optimise intervention targets.