TB in People Experiencing Homelessness

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Background

In the United States, 1% of the population experiences homelessness in a given year, but nearly 5% of people with TB reported experiencing homelessness within the year prior to diagnosis. These findings are not surprising, as people experiencing homelessness have a high occurrence of conditions that increase the risk of TB, including substance abuse, HIV infection, and congregation in crowded shelters. This combination of conditions is favorable for spreading TB. In addition, people experiencing homelessness often lack ready access to the medical care required to make an early diagnosis of TB.

To address TB among people experiencing homelessness, CDC is:

• Collaborating with other national and public health organizations to improve screening, diagnosis, and treatment for people experiencing homelessness;
  • Working to improve TB control activities in partnership with healthcare agencies addressing the needs of people experiencing homelessness.

In the fall of 2015, CDC hosted a “Workshop on Tuberculosis (TB) and Homelessness: Infection-Control Measures in Homeless Shelters and Other Overnight Facilities that Provide Shelter.” The workshop brought together homeless service providers, TB controllers, and public health department staff to engage in strategic planning around improving TB control among persons experiencing homelessness and prevent new TB incidence among those utilizing and providing services (i.e., clients, staff and volunteers). A summarypdf icon of the workshop held on September 28-29, 2015 is now available.

Highlights from the Workshop

Administrative Controls – TB Control in Overnight Homeless Facilities Quick Reference Guide

The homeless population represents an important risk group among U.S.-born TB patients. To achieve TB elimination, ongoing efforts are needed to address the disproportionate number of TB cases among this high-risk population. Various resources for homeless shelter staff, health care providers working with people experiencing homelessness, TB programs, and TB patients can be found below.