Trends and disparities in tuberculosis burden in Kazakhstan and Mongolia (2017–2021): a comparative analysis using GBD metrics

The results suggest that while TB control efforts have yielded positive results in both countries, Mongolia faces challenges in reducing TB-related mortality and morbidity, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and improved access to TB services. These results are consistent with global trends showing a declining TB burden due to improved diagnostics and treatment strategies but highlighting structural disparities that hinder uniform progress. Moreover, WHO estimates for the Western Pacific Region (WPR) and South-East Asia Region (SEAR) reported a slower increase in tuberculosis mortality trends from 2017 to 2021. Future research should focus on addressing the factors contributing to Mongolia's persistently high TB burden, including access to healthcare, treatment adherence, and the role of comorbidities. In addition, expanding the scope of analysis to other Central Asian countries will provide a broader understanding of TB control efforts across the region.