Better nutrition can cut risk of TB deaths by 60%, Indian study finds

A field worker taking a child’s vital measurements. The Indian study took three years and involved 10,000 people. Photograph: Courtesy of Dr Ajay Meher

Infectious, deadly and long associated with poverty, tuberculosis causes weight loss, while poor diets increase the likelihood of developing the disease. Now, a study in India has found that improved nutrition can cut the risk of death by 60% and reduce the chances of infection within families by about 40%.

India has the highest burden of TB and TB deaths globally and has launched an ambitious plan to reduce incidence and death rates by 80% and 90% respectively by 2025.