In recognition of World Tuberculosis Day (March 24, 2002) the Nassau County Department of Health has announced that tuberculosis (TB) has increased in Nassau County in the last year after seeing an overall decrease for the prior eight years. For 2001, there were 95 reported cases of TB, 36% greater than the 70 cases in 2000.

TB remains a significant problem in Nassau County and is disproportionally high in the foreign born, in people living in poverty, and in minority populations. In 2001, 78% of the 95 cases were foreign born; 24% of the cases were residents of the identified poverty communities (although only 13 % of the population resides in these areas); and 78 % were in minority populations. Appropriately, the theme of this year's World TB Day is: "Stop TB, fight poverty."

The World Health Organization estimates that one-third of the world's population is infected with tuberculosis without having any active tuberculosis disease. Currently worldwide, approximately 8,000,000 people are diagnosed with tuberculosis disease and 2,000,000 die from tuberculosis annually. Only 50% ever receive any treatment.

In Nassau County, the Health Department provides a Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) program for patients with tuberculosis. This program ensures that patients take the proper medication at correct times by having Health Department Community Outreach Workers directly observe the patients taking medication. DOT reduces the spread of TB and protects the health of the county residents.

Year	Cases
1993	132
1994	115
1995	95
1996	82
1997	85
1998	90
1999	74
2000	70
2001	95