[The status of tuberculosis since World War II]

Worldwide, tuberculosis can by no means be considered as having been totally eradicated. In Germany, however, the mortality and morbidity associated with the disease decreased significantly after the most severe effects of the Second World War had been overcome. Apart from new vaccinations and treatments for the disease, a higher living standard in West Germany was responsible for this development. An analysis of regional differences shows that in cities with elderly populations (Berlin) there is an above average incidence of tuberculosis. This also applies to urban areas with a large number of foreign immigrants. The longer these immigrants remain in Germany, however, the lower the incidence becomes, reaching the level of that of the entire Federal Republic. In Germany as well as in other industrialized nations the disease is influenced by age, race and nationality, and location. In Third World countries the rapid increase in population, wars, and poverty counteract a reduction of the incidence of tuberculosis. Consequently, only the relative but not the absolute incidence is expected to fall.