India Could See Major Drop in Tuberculosis Through Nutrition Improvements

Addressing undernutrition could help prevent up to 2.3 million tuberculosis cases worldwide, accounting for nearly 23.7 per cent of adult TB infections recorded in 2023, according to a new modelling study published in The Lancet Global Health.

The study, conducted by researchers including experts from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, identified undernutrition as one of the major contributors to the global tuberculosis burden.

Researchers estimated that eliminating moderate-to-severe undernutrition alone could prevent approximately 1.4 million tuberculosis episodes globally, reducing adult TB incidence by around 14.6 per cent.

The findings suggested that India would have experienced the largest reduction in tuberculosis cases if undernutrition had been effectively addressed. Other countries expected to see major reductions included Indonesia, Philippines, and Pakistan.

Tuberculosis remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, and health experts have long observed a close relationship between poor nutrition and increased vulnerability to TB infection.

According to the study authors, improving nutritional status could play a critical role in strengthening immunity, reducing infection risk, and supporting broader public health efforts aimed at controlling tuberculosis.

The research also underscores the importance of integrating nutrition support into national TB control programmes, especially in countries with high rates of poverty and food insecurity.