Working To Stop TB Among African Americans Working To Stop TB Among African Americans
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

African Americans continue to have higher rates of tuberculosis (TB) compared to other US-born population groups. Addressing the disparity between TB case rates among African Americans and other US-born racial/ethnic groups is an important priority.

The majority (82%) of all reported tuberculosis (TB) cases in the United States in 2005 occurred in racial and ethnic minorities. Blacks have a disproportionate share of TB in the United States.

In 2005, 3,927 TB case were reported among black, non-Hispanic people, which was 28% of all people reported with TB nationally. In 2005, the rate of TB in black, non-Hispanic people was 10.8 cases per 100,000 population, which is more than 8 times higher than the rate of TB in white, non-Hispanic people (1.3 cases per 100,000 population).

The proportion of TB among non-Hispanic blacks is even greater if only those born in the United States – or African Americans – reported with TB are examined. Among US-born persons reported with TB in 2005, 45% were African Americans (black, non-Hispanic).

CDC is working to prevent and control TB among African Americans by creating links and building networks that will lead to ongoing activities and strategies that address the TB disparity among African Americans and other US-born racial/ethnic groups.


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