Strengthening Collaboration Between TB Control Programs and Affiliated Partners in the United States: A Unique Role for NTCA - The management of TB control activities varies within the United States; in some areas, public health clinics lead the charge, and in areas with low morbidity, the private sector partners with public health clinics to treat latent TB infection (LTBI). LTBI prevalence data are critical to tracking the United States' progress in testing and treating persons with latent TB infection. More than 80% of TB cases in the US result from long-standing, untreated latent TB infection. TB is a nationally notifiable disease; however, LTBI is not reported to the CDC so we are unable to assess the presence of health disparities among the 13 million people estimated to have LTBI in the US. However, high quality surveillance data for TB disease does exist and these data from the United States are striking reminders of the inherent health inequities and disparities many individuals of color face. According to the 2021 National TB Surveillance Report , 89% of TB cases reported in the US occurred among persons in racial and ethnic minority groups who historically experienced disparities. In 2021, US state, local, and territorial health agencies reported 7,860 TB cases to the CDC. TB in the Asian, Black and Hispanic/LatinX communities are as follows: • The TB case rate is 33 times higher for Asian persons than non-Hispanic White persons • The TB case rate is eight times higher for non-Hispanic Black or African American than non-Hispanic White persons • The TB case rate is nine times higher for Hispanic or Latino persons than non-Hispanic White person. As evidenced, TB tells a horrific story on parallel with the impact of COVID-19 on people of color. Notably, social issues that have risen to the top of our collective consciousness during the COVID-19 pandemic are everyday problems encountered by TB patients and the staff who provide TB care. TB cases continue to occur among non-US-born persons at disproportionate rates; therefore, the efforts to address the health of minority populations, immigrants, and refugees is essential. Against this dramatic backdrop of significant inequities and disparities for individuals and families experiencing TB and LTBI, the focus on SDOH, efforts to minimize health disparities, and promote health equity in PS22-2205 is essential if the US is to make any substantive progress towards TB elimination. The mission of the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association (NTCA) is to protect the public’s health by advancing the elimination of tuberculosis in the United States through the concerted action of state, local, and territorial programs. NTCA, as the professional member service organization representing public health TB control programs and their staff, is uniquely qualified to fulfill the requirements outlined in, and successfully deliver the anticipated outcomes expected from, PS22-2205, Strengthening Collaboration Between TB Control Programs and Affiliated Partners in the United States. Founded in 1995, NTCA has 25 years of continuous experience providing leadership, education, and technical expertise to support national, state, territorial, and local programs and partnerships to control TB. NTCA brings together experts from TB control programs and leads national efforts to advance and advocate for TB control and elimination activities throughout the county. NTCA’s performance during the current cooperative agreement has demonstrated the value of engaging the nation’s TB control programs and affiliated partners to speak with a collective voice on issues that affect their ability to control and ultimately eliminate TB. This expanded work to continue addressing TB programs’ educational and training needs, while creating opportunities for partnerships and collaborations to address SDOH and health disparities, will move us towards greater health equity and, ultimately, the elimination of TB, and is a natural and logical extension of the work accomplished for PS12-1205 and PS17-1705.
