Open AccessOpportunities to prevent and manage undernutrition to amplify efforts to end TB
Author(s) -
Ian DarntonHill,
Partha Pratim Mandal,
A. de Silva,
Vineet Bhatia,
Mukta Sharma
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
the international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease/the international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease. articles traduits en français ...
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1815-7920
pISSN - 1027-3719
DOI - 10.5588/ijtld.21.0488
Subject(s) - malnutrition , medicine , wasting , psychological intervention , pandemic , tuberculosis , environmental health , developing country , economic growth , double burden , intervention (counseling) , global health , disease , intensive care medicine , public health , covid-19 , nursing , infectious disease (medical specialty) , obesity , pathology , economics , overweight , endocrinology
The bidirectional relationship between TB and nutrition is well recognized – primary undernutrition is a risk factor for developing TB disease, while TB results in wasting. Although nutrition support is acknowledged as an important intervention in TB programmes, it is seldom afforded commensurate priority for action. TB incidence and deaths worldwide are falling too slowly to meet WHO End TB Strategy milestones, and the number of undernourished people is increasing, likely to be further exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Undernutrition needs to be more urgently and intensively addressed. This is especially true for the WHO South-East Asia Region, where the high rates of undernutrition are a key driver of the TB epidemic. The evidence base has been sufficiently robust for clear and workable programmatic guidance to be formulated on assessment, counselling and interventions for TB patients. Many high-burden countries have developed policies addressing TB and nutrition. Gaps in research to date have frustrated the development of more refined programmatic approaches related to addressing TB and malnutrition. Future research can be shaped to inform targeted, actionable policies and programmes delivering dual benefits in terms of undernutrition and TB. There are clear opportunities for policy-makers to amplify efforts to end TB by addressing undernutrition.