CHDS faculty Nicolas Menzies and colleagues estimated the potential health and economic effects of a one-time intervention to test and treat latent tuberculosis infection in United States counties with a high tuberculosis burden among racially minoritized populations.
The researchers identified 157 counties for intervention and modelled targeted testing and treatment among people born outside the United States, people living with HIV, and people experiencing homelessness. The intervention was estimated to avert 17,359 tuberculosis cases and 2,700 tuberculosis deaths over the lifetimes of people receiving the intervention. It was also projected to generate 14,951 quality-adjusted life-years at a cost of $86,177 per quality-adjusted life-year gained.
Compared with continuation of current practices, the intervention was associated with a 2.8% reduction in the tuberculosis incidence rate ratio and a 5.5% reduction in the incidence rate difference for racially minoritized people during 2026-2040. The authors estimated that the intervention would reduce tuberculosis incidence across racial and ethnic groups, while having a modest effect on disparities. They concluded that additional initiatives addressing structural determinants beyond access to testing and treatment would be needed to make sustainable progress in reducing disparities.
Learn more: Read the Lancet Public Health publication, The Potential Effect of a Geographically Focused Intervention Against Tuberculosis in the USA: a Simulation Modelling Study
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