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Andrew Weisser, (818) 703-6444
aweisser@earthlink.net
or your local American Lung Association at (800) LUNG-USA
www.californialung.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2002
Increasing Numbers of Tuberculosis Cases in California Prompt American Lung Association of California Request to Bolster Funding
"Don’t Turn Back the Clock on TB"
Editors Note: County-specific tuberculosis statistics are available through the American Lung Association of California’s web site, at http://www.californialung.org/spotlight/tb_data00-01.html and/or by contacting the American Lung Association at the above numbers.
Related news conferences will be held as follows:
San Francisco: 10 a.m., Friday, March 22, at Mission Park on Valencia Street, between 19th and 20th Streets.
San Jose: (please note new time and location) 11 a.m., Monday, March 25, at Park Alameda Conference Room and Courtyard, 976 Lenzen Ave
(Oakland, CA, March 21, 2002) -- As public health advocates worldwide prepare to mark March 24 as World TB Day, the American Lung Association of California called on the State of California to avert a resurgence of tuberculosis in this state by increasing funding for tuberculosis (TB) prevention and control efforts. The statewide theme for this year is, "Don’t Turn Back the Clock on TB."
The American Lung Association is part of the National Coalition for the Elimination of Tuberculosis (NCET), which today issued a special report urging Congress to approve an increase of at least $50 million in categorical funding for fiscal year 2003 for TB control activities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That amount would be an increment of the $528 million that NCET estimates it will cost to eliminate TB in the United States.
After eight years of consecutive decline in TB case rates in California, there was a slight increase during 2001. A total of 3,332 cases were reported by the California Department of Health Services, an increase from 3,296 in 2000.
"We have seen this pattern before," said Barbara Cole, RN, MSN, PHN, a volunteer board member of the American Lung Association of California and member of its Tuberculosis Technical Advisory Group. "When government makes it a priority and funds the necessary control efforts, the TB rates decline. When the government does not make this investment in public health, we experience a resurgence and I’m afraid a new resurgence may be starting."
Historical state and federal government budget cuts resulted when it was perceived that TB was no longer a threat. This lead to a TB disease resurgence throughout California in the early 1990’s. Funding was replaced and a steady decline of TB rates in latter part of the decade resulted. Now, however, state funding is in jeopardy again.
Last year, $400,000 was cut from the State TB Control Local Assistance Budget. These cuts and potential future cuts could dramatically increase the number of people exposed to and diagnosed with TB, while decreasing the ability to adequately respond to outbreaks.
While acknowledging that California is facing a serious budget shortfall, the American Lung Association of California believes that delaying the restoration of these important local TB funds may put the state at risk for enormous future health expenditures should a serious TB outbreak occur.
In 2001, California had the highest number and one of the highest rates of TB cases in the United States. In addition, TB rates among California’s Hispanics, African Americans and Asians are disparately higher than those for non-Hispanic whites.
TB is a preventable, treatable disease. However, TB has reached epidemic levels worldwide. An estimated one-third of the world’s population (2 billion people) carry latent TB infection. Each year, approximately 8 million new cases occur and nearly 2 million people die from the disease globally. TB is the leading cause of death for people with AIDS and the leading cause of maternal mortality.
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The American Lung Association has been fighting lung disease for more than 90 years. With the generous support of the public and the help of our volunteers, we have seen many advances against lung disease. However, our work is not finished. As we look forward to our second century, we will continue to strive to make breathing easier for everyone. Along with our medical section, the California Thoracic Society, we provide educational programs, community service, advocacy and research. The American Lung Association’s activities are supported by Holiday Seals and other voluntary contributions. For more information, visit our web site at www.californialung.org or call 1.800.LUNG.USA to be connected to your local American Lung Association.
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