Health
TB decline starts to slow
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 5, 2004
Tuberculosis is continuing to decline but at a slower rate, according to a paper published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report to mark World TB day last month.
According to the data gathered from the national TB surveillance system, 14,871 Americans developed the disease in 2003, a 1.4% decline from 2002. This was the smallest decrease since 1992.
"These data raise concerns that increased efforts might be required to maintain the progress made in controlling TB," wrote the authors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of TB Elimination.
The paper also reported that just more than 42% of all cases were in California, New York and Texas. Foreign-born people accounted for 53% of cases with most coming from Mexico, the Philippines, Vietnam, India and China. The case rate was also high among African-Americans who account for 45% of all TB patients. The rate of drug resistance has remained stable with 80% of patients able to complete therapy in one year.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/04/05/hlbf0405.htm.
