The end of tuberculosis that wasn't: Resurgence and overlooked trends
In the mid-20th century, tuberculosis (TB) was thought to be on the path to elimination in the U.S. and Europe, with declining deaths. However, a resurgence occurred in the 1980s and 1990s due to three main factors: the HIV/AIDS epidemic weakening immune systems, the rise of drug-resistant TB, and higher TB rates among foreign-born populations from high-burden countries. Despite effective treatments, the world was losing the battle against TB, leading the WHO to declare it a "global health emergency" in 1993. The article highlights the importance of detailed data and monitoring to identify reversals in trends and understand underlying causes, which helped in recognizing the links between TB, HIV, and drug resistance. Progress has been made since 2000, but the disease remains a significant global health challenge.
Key Points
- Tuberculosis, once thought to be declining, saw a resurgence in the 1980s and 1990s in the U.S. due to multiple factors.
- The HIV/AIDS epidemic significantly contributed to the increase in TB cases and deaths by weakening immune systems.
- The emergence of drug-resistant TB strains and higher rates among immigrants from high-burden countries further complicated eradication efforts.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) declared TB a "global health emergency" in 1993, highlighting the underestimation of its true scale.
- Transparent data and close monitoring are crucial for identifying trends, understanding causes, and effectively combating global health challenges like TB.
Exam Facts
- TB deaths in the U.S. fell by over 90% by the late 1980s.
- The WHO declared TB a "global health emergency" in 1993.
- In 1993, nearly half of TB patients with known HIV status in the U.S. accounted for 82% of TB deaths.
- Authors are Hannah Ritchie and Fiona Spooner from Our World in Data.
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