| Yale
New Haven Hospital QISS GB 325 New Haven, CT 06504 USA Dr. Jeff Topal 688-4634 |
|
|
| Introduction |
  |
|
|
|
Tuberculosis remains a global threat to the health of mankind.
Approximately one third of the world's population has been infected
with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Annually, approximately 8 million
cases of active tuberculosis (TB) will occur worldwide. It is estimated that if present trends
continue, 30 million individuals will succumb to TB within the next
ten years. Given TB's ease of transmission from person to person via the airborne route, this global public health problem has the
potential to become a serious concern for all in the United States
at any time.
From 1953-1984, the United States experienced a decades-long decline
in the incidence of annual active TB cases. However, from 1985-1993, new cases of active TB increased approximately 14% from 22,201 cases yearly to 25,313 cases yearly. Based on the prior trend of declining TB cases before 1984, it is estimated that 64,000 excess cases of TB occurred during this time period.
|
Last modified: February 27, 2001.
Copyright ©2001 Yale New Haven Hospital, Quality Improvement Support Services. All rights reserved.
Comments or suggestions to the site editor.
Home URL: http://www.ynhh.org