In line with the Defeating meningitis by 2030: a global road map, the WHO guidelines on meningitis diagnosis, treatment and care provide evidence-based recommendations for the clinical management of children and adults with community-acquired meningitis, including acute and long-term care.

Meningitis poses a significant public health threat, despite successful efforts to control the disease globally. The burden of morbidity and mortality from meningitis remains high, particularly in low- and middle-income countries and in settings experiencing large-scale, disruptive epidemics. Approximately one in five individuals affected by bacterial meningitis incurs long-term complications, which may result in disability and have a profound impact on quality of life.

The guidelines are primarily intended for health-care professionals working in first- or second-level health-care facilities, including emergency, inpatient and outpatient services. They are also directed at policy-makers, health-care planners and programme managers, academic institutions, non-governmental and civil society organizations to inform capacity-building, teaching and research agendas.

根据《到2030年战胜脑膜炎：全球路线图》，世卫组织脑膜炎诊断、治疗和护理指南为社区获得性脑膜炎儿童和成人患者的临床管理提供了循证建议，包括急性和长期护理。

尽管在全球范围内成功控制了脑膜炎，但它仍对公共卫生构成了重大威胁。脑膜炎的发病率和死亡率居高不下，尤其是在中低收入国家和发生大规模、破坏性流行病的地区。大约五分之一的细菌性脑膜炎患者会出现长期并发症，可能导致残疾并对生活质量产生深远影响。

该指南主要面向在一级或二级医疗机构工作的医护人员，包括急诊、住院和门诊服务人员。指南还面向政策制定者、医疗保健规划者和计划管理者、学术机构、非政府组织和民间社会组织，为能力建设、教学和研究议程提供信息。