Tuberculosis
- Topics
- Basic TB Facts
- Treatment
- Testing & Diagnosis
- TB & HIV Coinfection
- Infection Control & Prevention
- Drug-Resistant TB
- TB in Specific Populations
- African-American Community
- Correctional Facilities
- Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Strengthen TB Information Systems and Program Assessment
- Strengthen TB Environmental Controls and Isolation Practices
- Provide More Comprehensive and Timely Screening and Diagnostic Evaluations
- Develop and Strengthen Contact Investigation Protocols
- Increase HIV Counseling and Testing
- Increase Staff Training
- Strengthen Collaboration Between Health Departments and Jails
- International Travelers
- Pregnancy
- Disaster Responders
- Children
- Vaccines & Immunizations
- Laboratory Information
- Drug Susceptibility Testing
- The Uses of Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests for the Diagnosis of TB
- Rapid Molecular Testing to Detect Drug-Resistant TB in the US
- Executive Summary
- Introduction
- Background on Tests for Molecular Detection of DR
- General Considerations and Principles for a Molecular DR Testing Service�
- Possible Scenarios and Scope of Testing for a Molecular DR Testing Service
- Research Needs
- General Recommendations of the Expert Panel
- Communication Plan for the Report
- Recommendations
- References
- Panel Members and CDC Participants
- Appendix 1
- Appendix 2
- Appendix 3
- Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidance for XDR Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains
- Molecular Detection of Drug Resistance (MDDR)
- Research
- TB Epidemiologic Studies Consortium
- Background
- Infrastructure
- Research Projects
- Publications
- Meetings
- Directory
- TBESC Committee Members
- Translating Research into Practice (TRIP)
- Contact TBESC
- Prospective Evaluation of Immunogenetic and Immunologic Markers for Susceptibility to Tuberculosis Infection and Progression from M. Tuberculosisinfection to active TB
- Zero Tolerance for Pediatric TB
- Models for Incorporating HIV Counseling, Testing, and Referral into Tuberculosis Contact Investigations
- Prevalence of Latent TB Infection Among High Risk Populations in the United States
- Regional Capacity-Building in Low-Incidence Areas
- Use of Network Analysis Methods to Characterize M. tuberculosis Transmission Patterns Among Women and Other High-Risk Populations
- An Analysis of Molecular Epidemiology of Multi-Drug Resistant M. tuberculosisin the United States
- Missed Opportunities for TB Prevention in Foreign-Born Population in the United States and Canada
- New Model for Assessing TB Surveillance and Action Performance and Cost
- Addressing TB Among African Americans in the Southeast: Identifying and Overcoming Barriers to Treatment Adherence for Latent TB Infection and TB Disease
- Assessing the TB Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices Among Private Providers Serving Foreign-born Populations at Risk for TB
- Factors Associated with Acceptance of, Adherence to and Toxicity From Treatment for Latent TB Infection and Pilot Study of Treatment for Latent TB Infection Effectiveness
- Culturally Appropriate TB Educational Materials for Leaders and Staff of Hispanic Service Organizations
- Enhancing TB Programs� Capacity for Self-Evaluation: Testing New Tools and Developing an Evaluation Toolkit
- African Refugee Women�s Health Improvement Project
- Evaluation of the TK Medium: A New Rapid Solid Culture System for Tuberculosis
- Evaluation of New Interferon-y Release Assays in the Diagnosis of Latent TB Infection in Health Care Workers
- Request for Proposal
- TB Trials Consortium
- Behavioral & Social Science Research
- TB Epidemiologic Studies Consortium
- Data & Statistics
- Education & Training
- Resources for TB Programs
- Publications & Products
- Fact Sheets
- General
- Fact sheets - Spanish
- TB - General Information
- The Difference Between Latent TB Infection and Active TB Disease
- Diferencia entre la infección de tuberculosis latente y enfermedad de tuberculosis activa
- A Global Perspective on TB
- Tuberculosis Information for Employers in Non-Healthcare Settings
- Bovine Tuberculosis in Humans
- Tuberculosis Information for International Travelers
- TB Can Be Treated
- Exposure to TB
- TB and HIV/AIDS
- You Can Prevent TB
- Testing for TB
- Tuberculosis: informaci�n general
- Diferencia entre la infecci�n de tuberculosis latente y enfermedad de tuberculosis activa
- Informaci�n sobre la tuberculosis para los viajeros internacionales
- Exposición a la tuberculosis
- Usted puede prevenir la tuberculosis
- La tuberculosis puede ser tratada
- Tuberculosis y VIH/SIDA
- Usted puede prevenir la tuberculosis
- Pruebas para detectar la tuberculosis
- Data & Statistics
- A Global Perspective on TB
- Trends in Tuberculosis – United States
- The Revised Report of Verified Case of Tuberculosis
- The National Tuberculosis Indicators Project (NTIP)
- National Tuberculosis Indicators Project (NTIP): Frequently Asked Questions
- TB Genotyping
- TB Genotyping Information Management System (TB GIMS)
- Drug-Resistant TB
- Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB)
- Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR TB)
- CDC’s Role in Preventing Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR TB)
- Tuberculosis multirresistente (MDR)
- Tuberculosis extremadamente resistente (XDR)
- El papel de los CDC en la prevenci�n de la tuberculosis extremadamente resistente (XDR)
- Infection Control & Prevention
- TB in Specific Populations
- Tuberculosis Information for Employers in Non-Healthcare Settings
- Tuberculosis in Minorities
- Tuberculosis Information for International Travelers
- TB and HIV/AIDS
- Recommendations for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Screening in Tuberculosis (TB) Clinics
- Treatment of Drug-Susceptible Tuberculosis Disease in HIV-Infected Persons
- Tuberculosis in Blacks
- Tuberculosis and Pregnancy
- Tuberculosis y embarazo
- Treatment
- TB Can Be Treated
- Treatment of Latent TB Infection
- Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection: Maximizing Adherence
- Treatment Options for Latent Tuberculosis Infection
- Treatment of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis
- Treatment of Drug-Susceptible Tuberculosis Disease in Persons Not Infected with HIV
- Treatment of Drug-Susceptible Tuberculosis Disease in HIV-Infected Persons
- Tratamiento de la infecci�n de tuberculosis latente
- Testing & Diagnosis
- TB Can Be Treated
- Testing for TB
- Recommendations for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Screening in Tuberculosis (TB) Clinics
- Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs)
- Tuberculin Skin Testing
- Diagnosis of Tuberculosis Disease
- Targeted Tuberculin Testing and Interpreting Tuberculin Skin Test Results
- Prueba cutánea de la tuberculina
- Diagnóstico de la tuberculosis activa
- Vaccines & Immunizations
- General
- Guidelines
- Guides & Toolkits
- Core Curriculum
- Self-Study Modules
- Report of Verified Case of Tuberculosis (RVCT)
- Forging Partnerships to Eliminate TB
- Understanding the TB Cohort Review Process
- Latent Tuberculosis Infection: A Guide for Primary Health Care Providers
- Effective TB Interviewing for Contact Investigation
- Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Testing Products
- Ethnographic Guides
- Newsletters
- Pamphlets, Brochures, Booklets
- Posters
- Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test Wall Chart
- World TB Day
- Afiches
- 2011 Poster (English)
- 2011 Poster (Spanish)
- 2010 Poster (English)
- 2010 Poster (Spanish)
- 2008 Poster (English)
- 2008 Poster (Spanish)
- 2006 Poster (English)
- 2004 Poster (English)
- 2004 Poster (Spanish)
- 2003 Poster (English)
- 2003 Poster (Spanish)
- 2003 Now is the Time Poster (English)
- 2003 Now is the Time Poster (Spanish)
- Think TB
- Stop TB
- Reports & Articles
- Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWRs)
- Contact Investigations
- Control and Elimination
- Data & Statistics
- Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis
- Infection Control & Prevention
- Laboratory
- TB in Specific Populations
- Foreign-Born
- High-Risk Settings
- Homeless
- International
- Occupational Groups
- Travel
- TB & HIV
- Testing & Diagnosis
- Treatment
- LTBI Updates
- Vaccines & Immunizations
- World TB Day
- DTBE Authored Journal Articles
- Tuberculosis Laboratory Aggregate Reports
- Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWRs)
- Slide Sets
- Core Curriculum
- Self-Study Modules
- Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in Correctional and Detention Facilities
- Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of M. TB in Health care Settings
- Investigation of Contacts of Persons with Infectious TB
- Text-Only version
- Introduction
- Decisions to Initiate a Contact Investigation
- Investigating the Index Patient and Sites of Transmission
- Assigning Priorities to Contacts
- Diagnostic and Public Health Evaluation of Contacts
- Medical Treatment for Contacts with LTBI
- When to Expand a Contact Investigation
- Communicating Through the News Media
- Data Management and Evaluation of Contact Investigations
- Confidentiality and Consent in Contact Investigations
- Staff Training for Contact Investigations
- Contact Investigations in Special Circumstances
- Source-Case Investigations
- Cultural Competency and Social Network Analysis
- Resources
- Epidemiology of Pediatric Tuberculosis in the United States
- Text-Only version
- Introduction
- Pediatric TB Cases by Age and Race
- Pediatric TB Cases by Origin of Birth
- Pediatric Cases, Percentages and Rates by States
- Pediatric TB Cases by Case Verification Criterion and Site of Disease
- Pediatric TB Cases in Specific Groups
- Pediatric TB Cases Case Completion
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- Slide 29
- Slide 30
- Slide 31
- Treatment of TB
- Targeted Tuberculosis Testing and Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection
- CD Roms
- Electronic Tools & Resources
- Web-Based Courses & Webinars
- Fact Sheets
- Global TB
- Events
- Links
- About Us
- Mission Statement and Activities
- Organization Chart
- Advisory Groups
- Federal TB Task Force
- Table of Contents
- Executive Summary
- Introduction
- Chronology in the Development of This Report
- Strategies for Maintaining Control of TB
- Strategies for Accelerating the Decline of TB
- Activities for Developing New Tools
- Global U.S. Actions
- Assessing the Impact of Actions Taken
- Federal TB Task Force Members and Others Involved in the Development of This Report
- Glossary
- References
- Federal TB Task Force Roster
- Table of Contents
- Executive Summary
- Introduction
- How to Eliminate TB? – The IOM Report
- Why Eliminate TB? – Rationale for Elimination
- Who Will Lead? – CDC's Response
- Goal I: Maintain control of TB
- Goal II: Accelerate the decline
- Goal III: Create new tools
- Goal IV: Reduce the global burden of TB
- Goal V: Summon and sustain support
- Goal VI: Track progress
- References
- Federal TB Task Force
- Funding
Fact Sheet
Tuberculosis In Blacks
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The disease is spread from person to person through the air. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.
TB disease was once a leading cause of death in the United States, but since 1993 the rates of TB in the country have declined in all groups. In 2010, a total of 11,182 TB cases were reported in the United States; however, blacks continue to have a disproportionate share of TB. The percentage of TB cases in blacks is higher than expected based on the percentage of blacks in the U.S. population. If looking at only people born in the United States, the proportion of TB in blacks is even greater. Although rates of TB in blacks have declined substantially over the past decade, the disparity remains. Addressing the TB disparity among blacks is an important priority; prevention and control efforts should be targeted to this population.
The Numbers
In 2010, TB disease was reported in 2,652 non-Hispanic blacks in the United States, accounting for 24% of all people reported with TB nationally.
- Among U.S.-born people reported with TB disease, 40% were non-Hispanic blacks.
- The rate of TB disease was 7.0 cases per 100,000 population, which is over seven times higher than the rate of TB disease in white, non-Hispanic people (0.9 cases per 100,000 population).
Prevention Challenges
TB is a challenging disease to diagnose, treat, and control. Dwindling resources and loss of public health capacity, including access to care and maintaining clinical and public health expertise add to the challenge. It is critical to reach those at highest risk for TB, and to identify and implement innovative strategies to improve testing and treatment.
TB rates are higher for some racial and ethnic groups. This relates to a greater proportion of people in these groups who have other risk factors for TB. Like other communities, blacks face a number of challenges that contribute to higher rates of TB. Challenges include:
- The duration of treatment for latent TB infection and TB disease is lengthy. Patients are often unable or reluctant to take medication for several months. For people with TB disease, inadequate treatment can lead to treatment failure, relapse, ongoing transmission, and development of drug resistance. For people with latent TB infection, medication for a condition with no symptoms of illness.
- Socioeconomic factors impact health outcomes and are associated with poverty, including limited access to quality health care, unemployment, housing, and transportation. These factors can directly or indirectly increase the risk for TB disease and present barriers to treatment of this disease.
- Language and cultural barriers, including health knowledge, stigma associated with the disease, values and beliefs may also place certain populations at higher risk. Stigma may deter people from seeking medical care or follow up care.
- TB remains a serious threat, especially for people who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). People infected with HIV are more likely than uninfected people to get sick with other infections and diseases, including TB. Blacks/African Americans is the racial/ethnic group most affected by HIV. Blacks/African Americans represented approximately 14% of the U.S. population, but accounted for an estimated 44% of new HIV infections in 2009.
- Without treatment, as with other opportunistic infections, HIV and TB can work together to shorten the life of the person infected.
- In addition to HIV, other underlying medical conditions may increase the risk that latent TB infection will progress to TB disease. For example, the risk is higher in people with diabetes, substance abuse (including injection of illegal drugs), silicosis, or those undergoing medical treatments with corticosteroids.
- Delayed detection and diagnosis of TB disease, as well as delayed reporting of TB disease remains a challenge in TB prevention and treatment. Because the number of TB cases in the United States is declining, there is decreased awareness of TB signs and symptoms among health care providers and at-risk populations. Patients may be less likely to seek medical care and health care providers may be less likely to consider TB as the cause.
What CDC is Doing
To achieve TB elimination, ongoing efforts are needed to address the persistent disparities that exist among racial and ethnic minorities in the United States.
CDC is working on projects designed to educate and raise awareness about TB in black communities. In one project, representatives from ten sites where disproportionate cases of TB disease are reported in blacks will receive training to enhance skills for engaging communities, develop strategies, and sustain partnerships for reducing TB rates.
Other CDC activities include a study to identify the socio-cultural, racial, and health system barriers specifically for blacks with or at risk for TB. The study’s goals include the development and testing of interventions to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in TB rates in blacks; and to make improvements in health-seeking behavior, contact investigations, culturally sensitive case management, and completion of treatment among black TB patients.
Data from a national sample of U.S.-born blacks also will be reviewed to quantify the time to diagnose and treat TB; examine the roles of the patient, provider, laboratories, and TB programs that affect timeliness of diagnosis and treatment of blacks; and evaluate the effect that time of exposure has on transmission. The findings will be used to propose performance goals and indicators for TB programs in an effort to encourage faster diagnosis and treatment in this population.
Through grants, CDC also provided testing and education to the House Ball Community. The House Ball Community is a social network comprised mostly of blacks and Latinos who have diverse sexual orientations and gender identities or expressions. This network is at particular risk for TB because of high HIV prevalence, inadequate access to health care, and societal stigma that affects health-seeking behaviors.
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Division of Tuberculosis Elimination (DTBE)
1600 Clifton Rd., NE
MS E10
Atlanta, GA 30333 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348 - New Hours of Operation
8am-8pm ET/Monday-Friday
Closed Holidays - cdcinfo@cdc.gov