TB is the largest cause of death in the world from a single infectious agentwhich is even more startling. because it is preventable and easily cured. The resurgence of TB provides us with a glaring illustration of the failure over the last 12 years to address the deteriorating social conditions in our inner cities. A decade of neglect that has resulted in greater homelessness. drug use. poverty. cultural isolation of immigrants. and AIDS have all contributed to the recent increase in the number of TB cases. These individuals live in circumstances that increase their risk for TB. often make it harder to get them into treatment. and increases the likelihood that they will not complete the necessary drug therapy. Since the late sixties. public funding to fight TB has been reduced dramatically.
Identified stereotypes
Cultural isolation of immigrants contributes to the increase in TB cases.