A new study reveals that racial and ethnic disparities are responsible for more than 18,000 excess tuberculosis (TB) cases among U.S.-born individuals. The research, conducted by scientists from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sheds light on the persistent inequalities in TB incidence across different racial and ethnic groups.
The study, which analyzed national TB registry data from 2011 to 2021, found that TB incidence ratios were 4.4 to 14.2 times higher for American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black, and Hispanic individuals compared to non-Hispanic white U.S.-born persons. These disparities were even more pronounced among females, younger individuals, and cases attributed to recent transmission.
“Our findings suggest that addressing these disparities could potentially reduce the U.S.’s TB incidence by more than 60% among the U.S.-born population,” the researchers noted. They emphasized that tackling these inequalities is crucial for achieving health equity goals and accelerating progress toward population-level TB elimination.
In an accompanying editorial, infectious disease experts from Emory University highlighted the importance of using this data to inform targeted efforts by state and local TB programs. They recommended focusing on early detection and care among high-risk groups.
“Practitioners should promote culturally sensitive approaches to TB screening and early case detection to help overcome the prevailing racial and ethnic disparities,” the editorial authors urged.
The study’s findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and policy changes to address the root causes of these health disparities and improve TB prevention and treatment efforts across all communities in the United States.
See “More than 18,000 excess tuberculosis cases in the US attributable to structural racism: Study” (April 2, 2024)
