Category
Theoretical Proposal
Description
Tuberculosis (TB) remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, yet it is both preventable and curable. The disease disproportionately affects populations living in poverty, with significant global impact:
1.23 million deaths in 20241
10.7 million new infections globally1
80%+ of cases in low- and middle-income countries1
~50% of TB households face costs >20% of income1,2
This study argues that TB persists due to social determinants, such as poverty, malnutrition, and stigma, rather than medical limitations alone. We propose a three-domain framework that maps where standard medical care fails the individual: systemic infrastructure, economic burden, and psychosocial isolation. By addressing these three domains simultaneously, healthcare programs can transition from purely clinical management to comprehensive, patient-centered care.
A Patient-Centered Framework for Overcoming Barriers in Tuberculosis Care
Theoretical Proposal
Tuberculosis (TB) remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, yet it is both preventable and curable. The disease disproportionately affects populations living in poverty, with significant global impact:
1.23 million deaths in 20241
10.7 million new infections globally1
80%+ of cases in low- and middle-income countries1
~50% of TB households face costs >20% of income1,2
This study argues that TB persists due to social determinants, such as poverty, malnutrition, and stigma, rather than medical limitations alone. We propose a three-domain framework that maps where standard medical care fails the individual: systemic infrastructure, economic burden, and psychosocial isolation. By addressing these three domains simultaneously, healthcare programs can transition from purely clinical management to comprehensive, patient-centered care.
