Tuberculosis In Minorities


Disparities in tuberculosis (TB) persist among members of racial and ethnic minority populations. In 2004, the majority (82%) of all reported TB cases in the United States occurred in racial and ethnic minorities.

Several factors likely contribute to the burden of TB in minorities:

  • Among people from countries where TB is common, TB disease may result from an infection acquired in their country of origin.
  • Among racial and ethnic minorities, unequal distribution of TB risk factors, particularly HIV infection, can also increase the chance of developing the disease.

Source: CDC



Tuberculosis in the African-American Community


Disparities in tuberculosis (TB) persist among members of racial and ethnic minority populations. In 2005, the majority (82%) of all reported TB cases in the United States (US) occurred in racial and ethnic minorities.  Black, non-Hispanic persons, have a disproportionate share of TB in the US.

In 2005, TB was reported in 3,927 black, non-Hispanic persons, 28% of all persons reported with TB nationally. In 2005, the rate of TB in black, non-Hispanic persons was 10.8 cases per 100,000 population, which is more than 8 times higher than the rate of TB in white, non-Hispanic persons (1.3 cases per 100,000 population).

The proportion of TB in black, non-Hispanic persons, is even greater if only US-born (African American) persons reported with TB are examined. Among US-born persons reported with TB in 2005, 45% were African Americans (black, non-Hispanic).

Although rates of TB in both blacks and whites have declined substantially over the past decade, the disparity remains. We must better target our efforts to prevent and control TB in this population. Addressing the TB disparity among African Americans and other US-born racial/ethnic groups is an important priority. 



Source: MMWR March 24, 2006, Vol. 55 (No. 11); 305 – 306


In Focus: Tuberculosis In Blacks

 

Black, non-Hispanic persons continue to have a disproportionate share of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States.


    * In 2004, TB was reported in 4,066 black, non-Hispanic persons —28% of all persons reported with TB nationally.
    * In 2004, the rate of TB in black, non-Hispanic persons was 11.3 cases per 100,000 population, which is more than 8 times higher than the rate of TB in white, non-Hispanic persons (1.3 cases per 100,000 population).



The proportion of TB in black, non-Hispanic persons is even greater if only U.S.-born persons reported with TB are examined.



    * U.S.-born persons represented 46% of all TB cases reported in the United States in 2004.
    * Among U.S.-born persons reported with TB in 2004, 45% were black, non-Hispanic individuals.



Although rates of TB in both blacks and whites have declined substantially over the past decade, the disparity remains. We must better target our efforts to prevent and control TB in this minority population.

Source: CDC



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