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St. Anthony’s Battles Highest Rate of TB Infection in U.S.
San Francisco has the highest rate of tuberculosis (TB) in the U.S., with recurrent outbreaks among the homeless and marginally housed, according to the most recent study on homelessness and TB by Harvard Medical School. Additionally, the Tenderloin has the highest rates of TB in San Francisco. To address this health care crisis, St. Anthony’s will offer free tuberculosis screening on Wednesday August 13th, 2008, as a part of National Health Care for the Homeless Day. According to findings released at last week’s International AIDS Society conference in Mexico City, TB is one of the leading causes of AIDS mortality. In the last two weeks both the World Heath Organization and Journal of the American Medical Association have urged expanded screening for communities in which HIV and TB intersect. Screening for the deadly airborne bacteria is also critical for San Francisco homeless, as all San Francisco city shelter clients must provide current TB test documentation to stay in city run shelters.
“The highest rates of TB are found in the Tenderloin. Although we test all of our scheduled patients for TB, this additional outreach for screening will help bring more people into the folds of healthcare and treatment, which is good for everyone. The more people we can test, the more people we can get treated,” noted St. Anthony Free Clinic Medical Director, Dr. Ana Valdes.
Photo by Michael Conti
St. Anthony’s Battles Highest Rate of TB Infection in U.S.
San Francisco has the highest rate of tuberculosis (TB) in the U.S., with recurrent outbreaks among the homeless and marginally housed, according to the most recent study on homelessness and TB by Harvard Medical School. Additionally, the Tenderloin has the highest rates of TB in San Francisco. To address this health care crisis, St. Anthony’s will offer free tuberculosis screening on Wednesday August 13th, 2008, as a part of National Health Care for the Homeless Day. According to findings released at last week’s International AIDS Society conference in Mexico City, TB is one of the leading causes of AIDS mortality. In the last two weeks both the World Heath Organization and Journal of the American Medical Association have urged expanded screening for communities in which HIV and TB intersect. Screening for the deadly airborne bacteria is also critical for San Francisco homeless, as all San Francisco city shelter clients must provide current TB test documentation to stay in city run shelters.
“The highest rates of TB are found in the Tenderloin. Although we test all of our scheduled patients for TB, this additional outreach for screening will help bring more people into the folds of healthcare and treatment, which is good for everyone. The more people we can test, the more people we can get treated,” noted St. Anthony Free Clinic Medical Director, Dr. Ana Valdes.
Photo by Michael Conti