Tuberculosis and Black or African American Persons

Key points

  • Anyone can get tuberculosis (TB), but some groups have a higher risk for TB than others.
  • TB continues to affect Black or African American persons a higher rate than other groups.
  • Several factors contribute to the higher rates of TB among Black or African American persons.
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Health disparities

In the United States, TB adversely affects groups that have historically experienced greater obstacles to health, including Black or African American persons. Several important factors contribute to the higher rates of TB among some Black or African American persons.

TB disease affects Black or African American persons more than others.‎

In 2022, active TB disease was reported among 1,317 Black or African American persons in the United States. This accounts for 15.8% of all people reported with TB nationally.
Keep Reading: Tuberculosis Risk Factors

What CDC is doing

Achieving equity by addressing disparities‎

CDC is committed to improve the health of people experiencing a disproportionate burden of disease, disability, and death.
NCHHSTP Equity Initiative

To eliminate health disparities among TB and Black or African American persons, CDC:

  • Highlights the personal stories of Black or African American people who were diagnosed and treated for TB
  • Leads community engagement and outreach in communities at increased risk for TB, including Black or African American persons, through organizations such as the TB Elimination Alliance to increase knowledge, testing, and treatment of TB
  • Shares patient education materials for Black or African American communities through platforms like Find TB Resources
  • Compiles national reports of TB cases and TB case rates by gender, race and ethnicity, risk factors, and geographic location
  • Continues the work of two CDC research consortiums to
    • Examine more effective TB treatment options and
    • Study the risks for TB among persons with certain medical conditions
  • Engages health care providers to ensure they know about the latest TB diagnostics and treatment options available
  • Collaborates with national and international public health organizations to

Resources

The words "TB Elimination Alliance" are next to a graphic of lungs.

Tuberculosis Elimination Alliance (TEA)

TB Elimination Alliance is a national partnership of community leaders dedicated to TB elimination. ...

Think. Test. Treat TB

CDC’s “Think. Test. Treat TB.” campaign helps raise awareness of TB prevention.
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Health Disparities in Black or African American People

Find information about how these diseases affect Black or African American populations.
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Equity Initiative

NCHHSTP's Equity Initiative is a long-term strategy designed to achieve equity.
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CureTB Program

Learn more about CureTB and access referral forms.

Materials are available free of charge for order via CDC-Info On Demand Publications (see ordering instructions).

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Content Source:
Division of Tuberculosis Elimination ; National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention