Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and malaria remain deeply entrenched in many parts of the world, killing millions of people each year despite being largely preventable or treatable.
These diseases are often called (ENDEMIC) Meaning they persist in certain populations or regions at a constant or high level. But endemic does not mean harmless and the global community cannot afford to look away.
TUBERCULOSIS(TB)- THE DEADLIEST INFECTIOUS DISEASE IN 2024.
TB quietly returned as the world top killer infectious disease after 3 years of COVID dominance, killing an estimated 1.25 million people in 2024. Every year, over 10 million new TB cases emerge, largely focused in about 30 high burden countries. INDIA, INDONESIA, CHINA, THE PHILLISTINES AND PAKISTAN alone account for more than half of TB cases globally.
Despite effective treatments, challenges like drug resistant TB strains and weak health systems make controlling TB tough, requiring focused efforts on testing, treatment, and prevention.
CAUSE- A bacterial infection caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis, spread through the air.
CHALLENGE- Drug resistant TB is on the rise. Multidrug resistant TB (MDR-TB) is much harder and costlier to treat.
NEGLECT- TB affects the poorest populations, they are often overcrowded, poorly ventilated settings and receives a fraction of global health funding compared to newer threats.
2025 UPDATE- WHO reports indicate TB cases are now rising again after a pandemic era dip in testing and treatment access. The stop TB partnership warns that global goals to eliminate TB by 2030 are now off track.
HIV/AIDS- A SHIFTING BUT PERSISTENT EPIDEMIC
There has been remarkable progress toward ending AIDS as a public health threat. In 2023, fewer people became newly infected than any time since the late 1980s. Around 31 Million People Received Lifesaving Antiretroviral therapy, bringing AIDS deaths to their lowest ice 2004. Still, uneven progress leave millions without treatment, especially children and teenagers mainly outside Sub-Saharan Africa. Some countries are seeing new HIV infections rise, highlighting the need for targeted programs an improved access.
CURRENT BURDEN- Over 39 million people are living with HIV globally, 630,000 die from AIDS-related illnesses each year.
PROGRESS- Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed HIV into a manageable chronic condition.
CHALLENGE- Many people still lack consistent access to treatment, and prevention tools like PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis).
2025 UPDATE- Unequal access to care is now the biggest barrier to ending AIDS. Young women and girls in southern Africa remain disproportionately affected. At the same time, stigma and criminalizaton of LGBTQ people in many countries continue to hinder outreach.
MALARIA- A PERSISTENT KILLER
Malaria remains one of the leading infectious killers, with about 263 million new cases and nearly 600,000 deaths in 2023. Almost all cases and deaths occur in 29 malaria endemic countries, with Nigeria, DR Congo, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Mozambique paying the heaviest toll. Climate change, insecticide resistance and disruptions in health services have worsened malaria control, demanding renewed efforts in prevention tools like mosquito nets, diagnostics and treatments.
WHY DO THESE DISEASES STILL PERSIST?
FALLING VACCINATION AND PREVENTION RATES
Reduced vaccine uptake and preventive measures leave vulnerable groups exposed.
ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
Drug resistant TB strains and treatment challenges complicate care.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT
Rising temperatures and flooding increase disease spread and vector habitats.
INEQUITABLE ACCESS
Poor infrastructure and lack of healthcare resources in high burden countries slow progress.
GLOBALIZATION AND TRAVEL
Increased movement allows diseases to spread across borders.
POVERTY AND INEQUALITY
These diseases thrive where healthcare access is weak, nutrition is poor, and people lack basic living condition.
SOLUTIONS
INNOVATION
Continued development of new diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines is key including shorter TB treatments and better malaria shots.
FUNDING
Programs like the global fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria need sustained financial supports.
EQUITY FOCUSED CARE
Targeted outreach to the most vulnerable groups like women, children, migrants is important.
STRONGER HEALTH SYSTEMS
Countries need robust primary healthcare, lab infrastructure and trained health workers to fight endemic disease consistently.
TB, HIV and malaria are not relics of the past, they are present day crises, deeply woven into the fabric of global health inequality. As the world races toward innovation, we must not forget the enduring battles that still claim lives every day.