Tuberculosis Rates in Indigenous Populations

Higher Incidence Among Indigenous Groups

Research indicates that tuberculosis (TB) disproportionately affects Indigenous populations in the USA, Canada, and Greenland compared to other groups. Since the 1960s, studies have examined the changes in TB rates among six specific Indigenous populations and the contributing factors behind these variations.

Historical Trends of Tuberculosis

In the 1950s, there was a marked increase in tuberculosis cases within these populations. However, following the implementation of TB control interventions, significant declines in rates were observed in subsequent years, demonstrating the effectiveness of these measures. It is crucial to note that TB is closely linked to malnutrition and socioeconomic issues, suggesting that the observed reduction in rates may coincide with improvements in health and socioeconomic conditions within these communities.

Recent Increase in Tuberculosis Rates

Interestingly, over the past 25 years, TB rates have risen sharply in certain Indigenous populations across the USA, Canada, and Greenland. Researchers propose that this recent uptick may be attributed to declining health and socioeconomic conditions, ineffective TB prevention programs, or a combination of these factors.

Research Collaboration and Findings

A collaborative effort among various research teams aimed to analyze TB trends in the aforementioned Indigenous populations from 1960 to 2014 through a population-based study. The results of this research were published in the journal The Lancet. The study involved reviewing annual TB reports and assessing changes in general health indicators and socioeconomic conditions, along with evaluating the impact of TB interventions using mathematical models.

Impact of Intervention Programs

The study revealed a significant decline in TB cases from 1960 to 1980, which persisted in some of the populations examined. This reduction correlated with major intervention programs, including vaccination efforts. Furthermore, the decline in TB cases was linked to increased life expectancy and reduced infant mortality across all six Indigenous populations. However, the researchers found no significant association between socioeconomic factors and TB rates.

Recommendations for Future Interventions

The findings underscore the positive impact of intervention programs that offer vaccines, screening, and various treatment options in alleviating TB rates among Indigenous populations. It is essential to consider and implement similar programs in other communities that remain severely affected by tuberculosis, including additional Indigenous groups across the USA, Canada, and Greenland. Addressing health disparities through these interventions could yield significant health improvements for these populations.

Author Information

Written by Ingrid Qemo, PhD

Reference

Dehghani, K., Lan, Z., Li, P., et al. (2018) Determinants of tuberculosis trends in six indigenous populations of the USA, Canada and Greenland from 1960 to 2014: a population-based study. Lancet Public Health. 3; e133-e142