TB in Blacks

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Black, non-Hispanic persons continue to have a disproportionate share of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States.

In 2003, TB was reported in 4,145 black, non-Hispanic persons—28% of all persons reported with TB nationally.
The rate of TB in black, non-Hispanic persons is 11.6 cases per 100,000 population, which is 8.3 times higher than the rate of TB in white, non-Hispanic persons (1.4 cases per 100,000 population).

The proportion of TB cases in black, non-Hispanic persons is even greater if only U.S.-born persons reported with TB are examined.

In 2003, 46% of all TB cases reported in the United States were among U.S.-born persons.
Among U.S.-born persons reported with TB, 45% were black, non-Hispanic individuals.

Although rates of TB in both blacks and whites have declined substantially over the past decade, the disparity remains. We must better target efforts to prevent and control TB in this minority population.

Released September 2005
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention
Division of Tuberculosis Elimination - http://www.cdc.gov/tb

Please send comments/suggestions/requests to: tbinfo@cdc.gov, or to
CDC/Division of Tuberculosis Elimination
Communications and Education Branch
1600 Clifton Rd., NE - Mailstop E-10, Atlanta, GA 30333