Adolescents are the missing middle falling through the cracks of TB care

Mar 25, 2026 · 1331 words · By Susan Purchase

Fact-Check Results

“Mia was diagnosed with drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB).”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm or refute Mia's diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis.

“Mia weighed less than 30kg and was transferred to a Paediatric ICU.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to verify Mia's weight or ICU transfer details.

“Mia's mother passed away from TB, and her brother died from an epileptic seizure.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm family members' deaths or causes.

“TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, killing more than a million people every year.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to verify global TB mortality statistics.

“Adolescents are at real risk of TB, especially if someone in their household has TB.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to assess adolescent TB risk factors.

“TB is an airborne infection and not caused by bad behaviour.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm TB transmission modes or causation.

“TB treatment usually lasts at least six months and requires multiple antibiotics.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to verify standard TB treatment durations.

“Approximately 750,000 teenagers develop TB each year.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm adolescent TB incidence rates.

“South Africa has about 20,000 teenagers developing TB each year.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to verify South Africa's adolescent TB cases.

“Teenagers are often overlooked in TB statistics due to being split between child and adult categories.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to assess statistical categorization of adolescents.

“Health services are designed for children or adults, leaving teenagers as the 'missing middle'.”

❓ PENDING

“Adolescent-friendly TB services, school-based education, and peer support groups are needed.”

❓ PENDING

“Teenagers are more likely to interrupt TB treatment than younger children.”

❓ PENDING

“Akhona missed sports scholarships due to TB-related school absences.”

❓ PENDING

“Teenagers with TB often face stigma, leading to social isolation and mental health issues.”

❓ PENDING

“Walden missed Matric exams and never returned to school due to TB.”

❓ PENDING

“TB treatment side-effects, such as skin darkening, affect adherence among teenagers.”

❓ PENDING

“Mia has not disclosed her TB diagnosis to her new friends.”

❓ PENDING

“TB treatment for drug-resistant cases darkens the skin, affecting self-esteem.”

❓ PENDING