WHO Calls for Urgent Action to Tackle Dual Threats of TB and Climate Change

In a critical move to address the escalating risks of tuberculosis (TB) and climate change, the World Health Organization (WHO) is urging governments and international partners to take immediate and coordinated action to tackle this dual threat. The organization highlights that climate change is exacerbating TB risk factors, particularly in vulnerable populations, and underscores the urgent need for integrated TB and climate adaptation efforts. Climate-related disasters, droughts, and extreme weather events are forcing millions to migrate, disrupting essential TB services, and intensifying malnutrition, which is a well-established risk factor for TB.

Key Takeaways:

• Climate change is exacerbating TB risk factors by creating conditions that facilitate TB transmission, particularly in overcrowded and poorly ventilated environments.
• In 2023, 20.3 million people were displaced by weather-related hazards, with projections estimating up to 216 million climate-displaced persons by 2050.
• Climate-induced disasters and environmental degradation are undermining health infrastructure, disrupting essential TB services, including diagnosis, treatment, and continuity of care.
• Natural hazard-related events affected an estimated 93.1 million people in 2023, making it a significant threat to global health security.
• TB kills an estimated 1.5 million people worldwide each year, and climate change threatens to reverse decades of progress in fighting this disease.
• WHO stresses the need for cross-sector collaboration across health, agriculture, migration, social protection, and disaster preparedness to confront the shared drivers of TB and climate vulnerability.
• The report urges governments to integrate TB services into climate and health strategies, strengthen health systems to withstand climate shocks, and secure sustainable financing for TB.

Statistics:

• TB is the world's top infectious killer, with a mortality rate of up to 50% without treatment.
• TB contributes to nearly 10% of TB cases globally through malnutrition.
• Climate change threatens to reverse decades of progress in fighting TB by exacerbating risk factors.
• 20.3 million people were displaced by weather-related hazards in 2023.
• Up to 216 million climate-displaced persons are projected by 2050.
• Natural hazard-related events affected an estimated 93.1 million people in 2023.

Sources:

• World Health Organization
• United Nations News
• Contify.com