New York Times Examines TB Rates Among U.S. Minority Populations

The New York Times on Tuesday examined tuberculosis rates among U.S. minority populations and immigrants (McNeil, New York Times, 3/22). CDC reported in the March 18 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report that TB rates in the United States reached an all-time low in 2004; however, Hispanics and blacks were eight times as likely as whites to have TB in 2004, while Asians were 20 times as likely as whites to have the disease last year, according to the report. In addition, TB infections among immigrants now make up more than half of all TB cases in the United States, according to the report (GlobalHealthReporting.org, 3/18). Most immigrants are infected with TB before coming to the United States, the Times reports. According to Dr. Kenneth Castro, director of the Division of Tuberculosis Elimination at CDC's National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention, the higher prevalence rates among blacks and Hispanics are due in part to higher TB rates in Mexico and disproportionate rates of incarceration, homelessness and illegal drug use among these two groups and whites. Castro attributed higher TB prevalence among Asians to "immigration patterns and TB rates in the countries of origin," adding that China and India have the highest number of TB cases worldwide (New York Times, 3/22). The complete article is available online.