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
Heidi Ellingham's full story
  • UK
  • Bacterial meningitis, Unknown meningitis and septicaemia (sepsis) type
  • Teenager
Heidi Ellingham's story When I was eighteen years old, I was living in London. The weekend before, I had visited...
Mason Swindells 's full story
  • UK
  • Meningococcal, Viral
Mason Swindells 's story Mason was rushed to hospital at fourteen months old with stomach pain before he was admitted to the ...
Rodolpho Riskalla's full story
  • Brazil
  • Bacterial meningitis, Group B meningococcal (MenB)
  • Adult 25-59
Rodolpho Riskalla's story Hello, my name is Rodolpho, and I am originally from Sao Paulo in Brazil.&n...
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.