The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released updated global guidance titled Surveys of Costs Faced by Households Affected by Tuberculosis. The new publication replaces the 2017 version and offers countries an expanded and more robust framework for measuring the financial burden of tuberculosis (TB) on individuals and their families.
Aurum is proud to acknowledge Don Mudzengi, a Health Economist at our organisation, who served as a reviewer on the updated guideline. His contribution supports global efforts to ensure TB responses are informed by accurate and comprehensive data on the economic impact of the disease.
“TB impoverishes those affected, their households, and communities,” says Don. “This update introduces more accurate methods to better measure the costs of seeking care, illness, and TB sequelae, providing clearer estimates to support the elimination of catastrophic costs.”
The guideline provides practical steps for national TB programmes, ministries of health, researchers, and technical partners to design and implement nationally representative surveys. These surveys collect data on:
- Direct medical costs – such as consultation fees and medicines
- Direct non-medical costs – including transport, food and accommodation
- Indirect costs – like lost income due to illness
- Use of social protection and coping strategies
One of the key indicators tracked by these surveys is the proportion of TB-affected households facing catastrophic total costs, defined as total TB-related expenses exceeding 20% of a household’s annual income. This indicator is central to monitoring progress towards the WHO’s End TB Strategy target of zero TB-affected families facing catastrophic costs.
The updated guideline also encourages the use of survey results to inform national health financing and social protection policies, while promoting stronger multisectoral collaboration to reduce the economic burden of TB.
As a long-standing leader in TB research and implementation, Aurum remains committed to generating evidence that drives equity-focused policy and practice across the TB care continuum.
To access the WHO guidelines, visit: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240104570
