Abstract: Objective To understand the status and trend of tuberculosis mortality from 2004 to 2008 in China.  Method Tuberculosis mortality was obtained by national disease surveillance points, gender, age and geographical distribution of TB death were analyzed. Results From 2004 to 2008, the tuberculosis mortality decreased from 6.57/100 000 to 3.90/100 000, the average annual mortality rate was 5.78/100 000, 7.81/100 000 for male and 3.66/100 000 for female, 3.57/100 000 for urban and 6.98/100 000 for rural people, 3.66/100 000,4.97/100 000 and 9.61/100 000 for eastern, middle and western region of China respectively. For pulmonary tuberculosis the average annual mortality rate was 5.48/100 000, 7.45/100 000 for male and 3.40/100 000 for female, 3.34/100000 for urban and 6.63/100 000 for rural people, 3.44/100 000,4.72/100 000 and 8.98/100 000 for eastern, middle and western region of China respectively. Conclusion There is a declining trend for tuberculosis mortality in China. However, it is still high in the western, rural and elderly population. Therefore, we should develop effective intervention measures for different types of tuberculosis, regions and target population.

Key words: tuberculosis,pulmonary/mortality, epidemiologic studies, China