Foreign-born persons with tuberculosis in the United States

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health concern.
• Understanding the demographics of TB cases is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the proportion and characteristics of foreign-born individuals among new tuberculosis cases in selected US areas.
• To identify the primary regions of origin and recent immigration patterns of foreign-born TB patients.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from two recent surveys conducted in selected US states and cities.
• Comparison of tuberculosis case demographics between foreign-born and native-born populations.

Main Results:

• Foreign-born persons constituted approximately 15% of new annual tuberculosis cases in surveyed areas.
• The largest numbers of foreign-born TB cases originated from the Western Hemisphere, followed by Asia.
• Foreign-born TB patients were predominantly in the 15-29 year age group and more likely to have extrapulmonary disease compared to native-born patients.
• About 50% of foreign-born TB patients had entered the US within five years of disease onset.
• Significant regional variations were observed in the proportion of foreign-born TB cases and their countries of origin.

Conclusions:

• Foreign-born populations represent a substantial proportion of new tuberculosis cases in the US.
• Recent immigration status and geographic origin are key factors associated with tuberculosis in foreign-born individuals.
• Public health strategies for tuberculosis control should consider the specific needs and origins of foreign-born populations.