Global tuberculosis burden in Russia and the world as a public health problem (historical and analytical review)

Abstract

Based on an analysis of archive materials, scientific publications and official statistics obtained from 56 sources, the global tuberculosis burden was assessed. In 1918 in Russia, tuberculosis mortality made 360 cases per 100,000 population, exceeding that in other industrial countries: in England this rate was 113.0; in the USA – 148.0; in Switzerland – 201.0; in Italy – 209.0; in France – 226.0; in Germany – 230.0; and in Japan (1920) – 234 cases respectively. Having undergone colossal socio-economic catastrophes like no other country, Russia achieved significant success in the fight against tuberculosis: in 1913, tuberculosis incidence was 733.0 per 100,000 population, tuberculosis mortality was 276.8; while in 2021 these made 31.1 and 4.3 respectively. In 2021, WHO excluded Russia from the list of countries with a high burden of tuberculosis. However, in Russia as well as in the other BRICS countries, the burden of MDR TB and TB/HIV co-infection still remains high, which requires allocation of resources to reduce their spread.