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Reported TB rates in the U.S. sink to all-time low
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The rate of tuberculosis cases in the United States decreased almost 12% between 2008 and 2009.
There were 11,540 TB cases reported nationwide in 2009, which represented a rate of 3.8 cases per 100,000 population, down from 4.2 per 100,000 reported for 2008. This was the largest single-year decrease recorded since TB case-reporting began in 1953.
CDC researchers said the reduction in TB rates may be attributed to changes in population demographics or improved control measures. However, under-reporting or under-diagnosis also may occur.
The TB rate among foreign-born individuals was nearly 11 times higher than it was for individuals born in the United States.
There were 4,499 cases among U.S.-born individuals, representing a rate of 1.7 per 100,000. This rate was a 15.8% decrease from 2008. The number of cases among foreign-born individuals decreased from 7,602 in 2008 to 6,806 in 2009, a decrease of 10.5%. The rate among foreign-born individuals in 2009 was 18.6 per 100,000, a 9% decrease from 2008.
Ethnic minorities continued to have higher TB case rates than whites, but the rates for all ethnic groups decreased between 2008 and 2009.
However, even with the reductions, the rate among Hispanic and black populations was eight times higher than it was for whites, and the rate for Asians was 26 times higher than it was whites, CDC researchers said.
Winston C. MMWR. 2010;59:289-294.