DISTINCT TRENDS IN TUBERCULOSIS MORBIDITY AMONG FOREIGN-BORN AND US-BORN PERSONS IN NEW-JERSEY, 1986 THROUGH 1995

Objectives. This study evaluated tuberculosis (TB) morbidity trends am ong foreign-born and US-born persons. Methods. TB surveillance data in New Jersey from 1986 to 1995 were analyzed. Results. The overall TB i ncidence rate in New jersey declined 15% from 1992 to 1995 after 7 yea rs of increase. However, the incidence rate of TB in foreign-born pers ons increased 75% from 1986 through 1995. The proportion of foreign-bo rn persons with TB increased from 20% in 1986 to 37% in 1995. Conclusi ons. TB morbidity among foreign-born persons has continued to increase , despite the decline in overall TB morbidity since 1992. Targeted TB prevention and control strategies should be developed to effectively r educe TB morbidity in foreign-born persons.