Heading Off The Looming Diabetes-Tuberculosis Epidemic

Tuberculosis (TB) has recently made headlines in the U.S. And news of these cases remind us once again that TB is far from conquered. This disease infects about 8.6 million people every year and kills 1.5 million, more than any other infectious disease except human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Increasingly, TB’s spread is fueled by rising rates of diabetes—as with HIV, diabetes weakens the immune system, making a person more vulnerable to TB infection and illness—particularly in emerging economies like India and China, which are the source for much of the TB seen in the U.S. Globally, it is now estimated that 15 percent of people who develop TB are also living with diabetes — equating to over 1 million people worldwide. We appear to be ignoring this trend at our peril. TB and diabetes need to be addressed together — immediately. If not, this problem will grow to epidemic proportions and ultimately claim the lives of millions. Rising Global Rates of Diabetes Diabetics have difficulties in processing insulin. This dysfunction weakens their immune system and makes them more susceptible to contracting TB, which is an airborne bacterial infection. Most people living with a TB infection never develop the full-fledged disease. But a weakened immune response makes it easier for TB bacteria to turn “active,” making it contagious and potentially fatal. In fact, having diabetes increases a person’s c...
Source: Health Affairs Blog - Category: Health Management Authors: Tags: Costs and Spending Equity and Disparities Featured Global Health Organization and Delivery Population Health Public Health Diabetes epidemics HIV/AIDS TB World Diabetes Foundation World Health Organization Source Type: blogs