Halt Tuberculosis- Now Is the Time

The state of Georgia ranks 6th in the US in TB case rates with 536 TB cases reported in 2004. There were 116 TB cases reported in Fulton County in 2004, a slight decrease from the 122 cases reported in 2003. Over all, Tuberculosis cases are decreasing in Georgia. Case rates continue to be higher in minorities including the foreign-born. African Americans make up 28% of the population in Georgia but accounted for 58% of the TB cases reported in 2004.

In efforts to combat the high rate of TB in African Americans, the DHR TB Program received the Health Equity Award from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This award is part of the CDC’s Intensification of Tuberculosis Prevention, Control and Elimination Activities in African-Americans in the Southeastern US.

Worldwide, TB is one the leading causes of death from infectious disease. An estimated 2 billion persons-one third of the world’s population, are infected with the bacteria that causes TB, and approximately 2 million persons die each year from TB. DHR is responsible for the delivery of health and social services. The department is one of the largest agencies in state government and serves all Georgia citizens through regulatory inspection, direct service and financial assistance programs. For more information on the DHR TB Program visit http://health.state.ga.us/programs/tb.