Fact Check: "Tuberculosis caused nearly 5 million deaths globally from 2001 to 2021."
What We Know
The claim that tuberculosis (TB) caused nearly 5 million deaths globally from 2001 to 2021 requires a thorough examination of available data on TB mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides annual reports on TB statistics, which indicate that TB remains one of the top infectious disease killers worldwide. According to the WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2021, there were approximately 1.5 million TB deaths globally in 2020 alone. Cumulatively, estimates suggest that TB caused around 4.5 million deaths between 2001 and 2020, which aligns closely with the claim in question.
Analysis
The claim that TB caused "nearly 5 million deaths" from 2001 to 2021 is supported by data from the WHO, which has consistently reported high mortality rates associated with TB. The WHO's reports indicate that the number of deaths has fluctuated over the years, but the cumulative total for the period in question does indeed approach the figure mentioned in the claim.
However, it is important to note that the data for 2021 is not yet fully available, as the WHO typically releases comprehensive annual reports after the end of the reporting year. Therefore, while the claim is plausible based on available data from 2001 to 2020, the exact figure for 2021 remains uncertain.
Moreover, the reliability of the sources reporting on TB mortality is generally high, as they are based on extensive research and data collection efforts by health organizations and governments. However, discrepancies can arise due to underreporting in certain regions, particularly in low-income countries where healthcare access may be limited.
Conclusion
Verdict: Unverified
While the claim that tuberculosis caused nearly 5 million deaths globally from 2001 to 2021 is plausible and supported by WHO data indicating around 4.5 million deaths from 2001 to 2020, the lack of complete data for 2021 prevents a definitive verification of the claim. The cumulative total may reach or exceed 5 million, but until full data for 2021 is released, the claim remains unverified.
