Ending TB in children and adolescents
Access to tuberculosis (TB) prevention and care is severely lacking when it comes to children and adolescents.
More than 1 million children under 15 years fall ill with TB every year, over half of whom are not diagnosed and/or not reported. The proportion of these “missing children” is highest among the youngest, due to the lack of a sensitive diagnostic test and limited diagnostic capacity in places where they seek care.
Further, only one-third of eligible child household contacts of patients with TB receive TB preventive treatment.
The political declaration of the UN High-Level Meeting on TB includes global targets to accelerate action to prevent and treat TB among children and adolescents. In order to support countries in scaling up their efforts, WHO, with UNICEF and other partners in the Child and Adolescent TB Working Group, launched a Roadmap with 10 key actions. WHO holds global and regional consultations to accelerate its uptake and works with countries to incorporate the key actions in the national strategic plans and funding applications.
WHO encourages development and rapid uptake of child-friendly formulations of TB drugs, including shorter preventive treatment options.
Through the 1+1 initiative, WHO mobilizes youth to spread awareness and advocate for increased investment and accountability to end TB.
WHO released the consolidated guidelines on the management of tuberculosis in children and adolescents, along with an operational handbook in March 2022.
