Strategies for suppression, containment, and eradication of resurgent tuberculosis

This review provides strategies for the suppression, containment, and eventual eradication of resurgent tuberculosis. Some ethnic minority communities are at greatest risk because of the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, poverty and malnutrition, congregate living situations, aberrant lifestyles, illegal immigration, and underemployment among these populations. Proposed strategies include the education of the population at risk as well as health care providers to permit the optimization of preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic technologies. Also necessary is the development of effective, safe, newer medications to enhance patient compliance and decrease drug resistance. Strategic planning embraces national socioeconomic policy to permit adequate resources to combat poverty and malnutrition, to rebuild the infrastructure of the public health system, and to improve access to health care among rural and urban dwellers. It is concluded that these efforts must continue to ensure the eradication of tuberculosis.