Addressing TB comorbidities and health-related risk factors
Key risk
factors and comorbidities such as HIV, diabetes, malnutrition, chronic lung
disease, tobacco and substance use disorders drive the global TB epidemic and
are associated with poorer TB treatment outcomes. People with TB also have a
higher risk of mental health disorders. Conversely, TB and its treatment can
complicate the management of some of these conditions. Collaborative TB/HIV
activities and management of comorbidities is a key component of WHO’s End TB
Strategy. At the 2023 United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on the
fight against TB, member states reaffirmed their commitment to assuring the integration
of systematic screening, prevention and care of tuberculosis and these related
health conditions within primary health care. The WHO Global Programme on
Tuberculosis and Lung Health collaborates with other WHO departments, partners
and civil society to develop and disseminate normative guidance and frameworks
on TB and comorbidities based on the latest evidence, promotes best practice,
provides technical assistance, shapes the research agenda, and sets
targets to catalyse action to end TB. WHO also collects and reports
on data on TB and comorbidities, including estimates of the
relative contribution of the main drivers of the TB
epidemic. WHO aims to promote activities on TB and comorbidities related
to prevention, screening, diagnosis and management as part of an integrated, people-centred
package of health care for those affected or at risk.
