The Trend of Tuberculosis Case Notification Rates from 1995 to 2022 by Country Income and World Health Organization Region

Abstract

Over the past 27 years, three major global TB control strategies have been implemented, and it is important at this stage to evaluate their impact on tuberculosis (TB) case notification rates (CNRs). This study, therefore, analyzed TB CNR trends from 1995 to 2022 across 208 countries and islands, using data from the WHO Global TB Programme database. Countries were classified by income level and population size based on World Bank criteria. The analysis revealed significant disparities in TB CNRs across income groups: Low-income, lower-middle-income, and upper-middle-income countries consistently reported higher CNRs compared to high-income countries. Regional analysis further demonstrated notable variations influenced by both economic and geographical factors. These findings reaffirm the strong link between TB and poverty, underscoring the need for a holistic approach to combat the disease. Efforts must extend beyond enhancing health care access and delivery to addressing the social determinants that drive TB transmission and progression.

Keywords: WHO region; case notification rate; higher-income countries; low-income countries; lower middle income countries; tuberculosis; upper-middle-income countries.

Figure 1

TB case notification at global level by incomes, 1995 to 2022.

Figure 2

TB CNRs in WHO African Region by incomes, 1995 to 2022.

Figure 3

TB CNRs in WHO Region of the Americas by incomes, 1995 to 2022.

Figure 4

TB CNRs in WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region by incomes, 1995 to 2022.

Figure 5

TB CNRs in WHO European Region by incomes, 1995 to 2022.

Figure 6

TB CNRs in WHO South-East Asian Region by incomes, 1995 to 2022.

Figure 7

TB CNRs in WHO Western Pacific Region (WPR) by incomes, 1995 to 2022.