Progress in TB control can be substantially accelerated by addressing these challenges

23 October 2013 | LONDON/GENEVA - Tuberculosis (TB) treatment has saved the lives of more than 22 million people, according to the WHO "Global tuberculosis report 2013" published today. The report also reveals that the number of people ill with TB fell in 2012 to 8.6 million, with global TB deaths also decreasing to 1.3 million.

The new data confirm that the world is on track to meet the 2015 UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) target of reversing TB incidence, along with the target of a 50% reduction in the mortality rate by 2015 (compared to 1990). A special "Countdown to 2015" supplement to this year’s report provides full information on the progress to the international TB targets. It details if the world and countries with a high burden of TB are “on-track” or “off-track” and what can be done rapidly to accelerate impact as the 2015 deadline approaches.