Abstract
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC? Tuberculosis (TB) is often referred to as "a disease of poverty," yet the information regarding the financial burden of TB care is limited and regionally representative. WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT? This manuscript reported the national representative total and breakdown costs associated with TB care in China. The total cost per patient was 1,185 USD, of which 88% was direct cost and 37% was incurred prior to TB treatment. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE? TB patients experience a significant financial burden, and disparities exist among different regions and populations. Current TB care policies and packages are not sufficient to address this issue.