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Tuberculosis (TB)








Health Disparities in TBEspañol (Spanish)|Print										Related Pages
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			Racial and Ethnic DisparitiesMedical ConditionsGeographic DisparitiesOther DisparitiesAchieving Equity by Addressing DisparitiesEducational Resources
		
TB bacteria are spread through the air from one person to another. When a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks, or sings, TB bacteria can get into the air. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.
Although anyone can get TB, some people are at greater risk of TB than others. This is because some population groups have higher rates of TB disease in their communities, thus raising the risk of becoming infected with the bacteria. Additionally, a range of social, economic, and demographic factors affect a person’s risk of TB disease. This section provides information on the prevention challenges for disproportionately affected groups and what CDC is doing to address them.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities
TB adversely affects groups that have historically experienced greater obstacles to health. The percentage of TB cases that occur in Hispanic or Latino, Black or African American, and Asian persons is higher than expected based on the percentage of these populations in the U.S. population. In 2021, 88.1% of the TB cases reported in the United States occurred among racial and ethnic minority groups. The percentage of TB cases occurring in non-U.S.–born persons was 71.4% of the national case total in 2021.
TB by Race/Ethnicity: 1993–2021Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions contribute to disparities in the rate of TB. Medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and HIV infection alter the immune system’s ability to fight TB germs. As a result, people with these medical conditions are more likely to develop TB disease if they are infected with TB germs.
TB and HIV CoinfectionGeographic Disparities
TB rates vary by geographic location across the United States. Nine states and the District of Columbia had incidence rates higher than the national rate of 2.4 cases per 100,000 persons in 2021:
Nine states and the District of Columbia had incidence rates higher than the national rate of 2.4 cases per 100,000 persons in 2021. Alaska had the highest rate (7.9), followed by Hawaii (7.4), California (4.5), Delaware (4.1), New York (including New York City, 3.4), Texas (3.4), New Jersey (3.2), Maryland (3.2), District of Columbia (2.7), and Washington (2.6). Other than Delaware, these reporting areas also had incidence rates greater than the national rate in 2020. Delaware’s incidence rate doubled from 1.7 in 2020 to 4.1 in 2021 and included several cases associated with an outbreak linked to a donor-derived bone allograft product which, in total, was associated with 113 cases in 18 states. Note: New York City, which is a distinct reporting area, had an incidence rate of 6.2 cases per 100,000 persons. When New York City is analyzed separately, the remainder of New York state has an incidence rate of 1.4 cases per 100,000 persons.View LargerCloseNine states and the District of Columbia had incidence rates higher than the national rate of 2.4 cases per 100,000 persons in 2021. Alaska had the highest rate (7.9), followed by Hawaii (7.4), California (4.5), Delaware (4.1), New York (including New York City, 3.4), Texas (3.4), New Jersey (3.2), Maryland (3.2), District of Columbia (2.7), and Washington (2.6). Other than Delaware, these reporting areas also had incidence rates greater than the national rate in 2020. Delaware’s incidence rate doubled from 1.7 in 2020 to 4.1 in 2021 and included several cases associated with an outbreak linked to a donor-derived bone allograft product which, in total, was associated with 113 cases in 18 states. Note: New York City, which is a distinct reporting area, had an incidence rate of 6.2 cases per 100,000 persons. When New York City is analyzed separately, the remainder of New York state has an incidence rate of 1.4 cases per 100,000 persons.Download Image[PNG]
Alaska: 7.9
Hawaii: 7.4
California: 4.5
Delaware: 4.1
New York, including New York City*: 3.4
Texas: 3.4
Maryland: 3.2
Jersey: 3.2
District of Columbia: 2.7
Washington: 2.6*New York City, which is a distinct reporting area, had an incidence rate of 6.2 cases per 100,000 persons. When New York City is analyzed separately, the remainder of New York state has an incidence rate of 1.4 cases per 100,000 persons.
CDC monitors these geographic differences and provides funds to support TB prevention and control efforts in all states, as well as certain metropolitan areas with high rates of TB.
TB by Reporting Areas: 2021 and 2020Because of the substantially greater risk of exposure to TB bacteria outside of the United States, origin of birth is the most prominent risk factor for TB disease in the United States. Consistent with previous years, the majority of reported persons diagnosed with TB disease occurred among non-U.S.–born persons (71.4%) in 2021.
TB by Origin of Birth: 1993–2021Other Disparities
CDC surveillance efforts and research demonstrate TB disparities in relation to other factors such as housing insecurity and incarceration.
TB and People Experiencing Homelessness
TB and People Living in Correctional Facilities in the United StatesAchieving Equity by Addressing Disparities
**What CDC is Doing to Address Disparities in TB in the United States**
CDC is committed to improving the health of people disproportionately affected by TB. To achieve TB elimination in the United States, ongoing efforts are needed to address the persistent disparities that exist. CDC is continuing to work on a series of projects designed to identify the underlying causes, as well as educate and raise awareness about health disparities in TB. This includes
Collaborating with other national and international public health organizations to improve TB screening of immigrants and refugees, test recent arrivals from countries with high rates of TB, and improve TB control and prevention activities along the border between the United States and Mexico;
Maintaining a Spanish TB website that provides Spanish-language TB information on exposure, testing, and treatment;
Developing culturally appropriate patient education materials in English and other languages, and sharing through platforms like Find TB Resources;
Supporting the TB Elimination Alliance, which brings together community-based organizations across the United States to increase knowledge, testing, and treatment of TB disease and latent TB infection among communities at increased risk for TB;
Launching the first national multilingual communications campaign, **Think. Test. Treat TB**, which aims to reach those most at risk for latent TB infection and their healthcare providers to encourage TB testing and treatment;
Highlighting the personal experiences of people who were diagnosed and treated for latent TB infection and TB disease, as well as the work of TB control professionals through personal stories;
Compiling national reports of TB cases and TB case rates by gender, race and ethnicity, risk factors, and geographic location;
Continuing the work of two CDC research consortiums to examine more effective TB treatment options and to study the risks of TB among persons with comorbid medical conditions;
Engaging with healthcare providers to ensure they know about the latest TB diagnostics and latent TB infection treatment options available as well as engaging communities at increased risk of TB to raise awareness of TB and promote latent TB infection testing and treatment.Educational Resources
TB and Asian Persons
TB and Black or African American Persons
TB and Hispanic or Latino Persons
Tuberculosis Facts: TB and HIV/AIDS (fact sheet)
Find TB ResourcesRelated LinksTrends in Tuberculosis, 2021
Reported Tuberculosis in the United States, 2021
Disparities in HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STDs, and TB
NCHHSTP AtlasPlus
Find TB Resources
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  November 10, 2022						Source: 	Division of Tuberculosis Elimination, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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No. 2, 2023TB Notes. No. 1, 2023TB Notes, No. 4, 2022TB Notes, No. 3, 2022TB Notes, No. 2, 2022TB Notes, No. 1, 2022TB Notes, No. 4, 2021TB Notes, No. 3, 2021TB Notes, No. 2, 2021TB Notes, No. 1, 2021Pamphlets, Brochures, Bookletsplus iconQuestions and AnswersPatient Education SeriesTuberculosis - Get the FactsTuberculosis - The Connection between TB and HIV12-Dose Regimen for Latent TB Infection-Patient Education BrochurePostersplus iconMantoux Tuberculin Skin Test Wall ChartWorld TB DayThink TBStop TBTake on TBReports & Articlesplus iconDTBE Authored Journal ArticlesTuberculosis Laboratory Aggregate ReportsSlide Setsplus iconIntroduction to TuberculosisEpidemiology of Tuberculosis Among Non-U.S.​–Born Persons in the United States, 1993–2016Self-Study Modules on Tuberculosis, 1-5 Slide SetsThe Tuberculosis (TB) in Correctional Settingsplus iconFacilitator GuideIntroduction to TB GenotypingEpidemiology of Tuberculosis in Correctional Facilities, United States, 1993-2017Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in Correctional and Detention FacilitiesGuidelines for Preventing the Transmission of M. TB in Health care SettingsInvestigation of Contacts of Persons with Infectious TBEpidemiology of Pediatric Tuberculosis in the United StatesTargeted Tuberculosis Testing and Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis InfectionElectronic Tools & ResourcesWeb-Based Courses & Webinarsplus iconTB 101 for Health Care WorkersContent SyndicationInfographicsplus iconSocial Media GraphicsCustomizable Take on TB Infographic with InstructionsEventsWorld TB Dayplus iconU.S. TB ChampionsHistoryFeaturesplus iconTB Risk FactorsTreating Latent TB Infection with Short-Course RegimensWorld Tuberculosis (TB) Day 2021World Tuberculosis (TB) Day 2020Linksplus iconState TB Control OfficesAbout Usplus iconMission Statement and Activitiesplus iconDTBE Strategic PlanNational TB Program ObjectivesOrganization ChartAdvisory Groupsplus iconFederal TB Task Force To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: Email Address			What's this?				Submit


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