Meningitis Progress Tracker

See the full burden and impact of meningitis. Our tool uses up-to-date and accessible data to tell the story of the disease and how we can defeat it.

214,000

estimated meningitis deaths in 2021

43%

are children under 5

In November 2020, the World Health Assembly approved the first global plan for tackling meningitis, with the goal of defeating the disease by 2030.
This blog series explores key findings from our 2024 research report Meningitis health communications: Examining channels, messaging and best practice in the African Meningitis Belt. Conducted in partnership with UNICEF, our research investigated practices, barriers, needs and opportunities for greater awareness.

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Stories of strength

Tales of courage, determination and resilience, and how the human spirit can conquer even the hardest of challenges brought by meningitis. Explore real life stories
Rebecca Goddard's full story
  • UK
  • Meningococcal
  • Child 6-12
Rebecca Goddard's story In 1983 I was seven years old...
Arthur Kilcran's full story
  • UK
  • Pneumococcal
  • Toddler 1-3
Arthur Kilcran's story In January 2023, my husband, Billy and I took our little boy, Arthur, to hospital as he was unwell a...
Eliana Shaw-Lothian's full story
  • UK
  • Bacterial meningitis, Group B meningococcal (MenB)
  • Teenager
Eliana Shaw-Lothian's story During my first year at university I was living in student accommodation and one day in October I fe...
Provide a lifeline for those in need
Provide a lifeline for those in need
£6/€7.20/$8 pays for a 30 minute call from a trained support officer.

They listen to the issues faced by someone struggling with the impact of meningitis, and provide detailed information and support.