Disparities in Tuberculosis Incidence by Race and Ethnicity Among the U.S.-Born Population in the United States, 2011 to 2021 : An Analysis of National Disease Registry Data.

BACKGROUND: Elevated tuberculosis (TB) incidence rates have recently been reported for racial/ethnic minority populations in the United States. Tracking such disparities is important for assessing progress toward national health equity goals and implementing change. OBJECTIVE: To quantify trends in racial/ethnic disparities in TB incidence among U.S.-born persons. DESIGN: Time-series analysis of national TB registry data for 2011 to 2021. SETTING: United States. PARTICIPANTS: U.S.-born persons stratified by race/ethnicity. MEASUREMENTS: TB incidence rates, incidence rate differences, and incidence rate ratios compared with non-Hispanic White persons; excess TB cases (calculated from incidence rate differences); and the index of disparity. Analyses were stratified by sex and by attribution of TB disease to recent transmission and were adjusted for age, year, and state of residence. RESULTS: In analyses of TB incidence rates for each racial/ethnic population compared with non-Hispanic White persons, incidence rate ratios were as high as 14.2 (95% CI, 13.0 to 15.5) among American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) females. Relative disparities were greater for females, younger persons, and TB attributed to recent transmission. Absolute disparities were greater for males. Excess TB cases in 2011 to 2021 represented 69% (CI, 66% to 71%) and 62% (CI, 60% to 64%) of total cases for females and males, respectively. No evidence was found to indicate that incidence rate ratios decreased over time, and most relative disparity measures showed small, statistically nonsignificant increases. LIMITATION: Analyses assumed complete TB case diagnosis and self-report of race/ethnicity and were not adjusted for medical comorbidities or social determinants of health. CONCLUSION: There are persistent disparities in TB incidence by race/ethnicity. Relative disparities were greater for AI/AN persons, females, and younger persons, and absolute disparities were greater for males. Eliminating these disparities could reduce overall TB incidence by more than 60% among the U.S.-born population. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Racial and Ethnic Disaggregation of Tuberculosis Incidence and Risk Factors Among American Indian and Alaska Native Persons-United States, 2001-2020.

Objectives. To examine impacts of racial and ethnic disaggregation on the characterization of tuberculosis (TB) epidemiology among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) persons in the United States. Methods. Using data reported to the National Tuberculosis Surveillance System during 2001 to 2020, we compared annual age-adjusted TB incidence and the frequency of TB risk factors among 3 AI/AN analytic groups: non-Hispanic AI/AN alone persons, multiracial/Hispanic AI/AN persons, and all AI/AN persons (aggregate of the first 2 groups). Results. During 2009 to 2020, annual TB incidence (cases per 100 000 persons) among non-Hispanic AI/AN alone persons (range = 3.87-8.56) was on average 1.9 times higher than among all AI/AN persons (range = 1.89-4.70). Compared with non-Hispanic AI/AN alone patients with TB, multiracial/Hispanic AI/AN patients were significantly more likely to be HIV positive (prevalence ratio [PR] = 2.05) and to have been diagnosed while a resident of a correctional facility (PR = 1.71), and significantly less likely to have experienced homelessness (PR = 0.53) or died during TB treatment (PR = 0.47). Conclusions. Racial and ethnic disaggregation revealed significant differences in TB epidemiology among AI/AN analytic groups. Exclusion of multiracial/Hispanic AI/AN persons from AI/AN analytic groups can substantively affect estimates of racial and ethnic health disparities. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(2):226-236. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307498).

Racial and ethnic disparities in diagnosis and treatment outcomes among US-born people diagnosed with tuberculosis, 2003-19: an analysis of national surveillance data.

BACKGROUND: Persistent racial and ethnic disparities in tuberculosis incidence exist in the USA, however, less is known about disparities along the tuberculosis continuum of care. This study aimed to describe how race and ethnicity are associated with tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment outcomes. METHODS: In this analysis of national surveillance data, we extracted data from the US National Tuberculosis Surveillance System on US-born patients with tuberculosis during 2003-19. To estimate the association between race and ethnicity and tuberculosis diagnosis (diagnosis after death, cavitation, and sputum smear positivity) and treatment outcomes (treatment for more than 12 months, treatment discontinuation, and death during treatment), we fitted log-binomial regression models adjusting for calendar year, sex, age category, and regional division. Race and ethnicity were defined based on US Census Bureau classification as White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and people of other ethnicities. We quantified racial and ethnic disparities as adjusted relative risks (aRRs) using non-Hispanic White people as the reference group. We also calculated the Index of Disparity as a summary measure that quantifies the dispersion in a given outcome across all racial and ethnic groups, relative to the population mean. We estimated time trends in each outcome to evaluate whether disparities were closing or widening. FINDINGS: From 2003 to 2019, there were 72 809 US-born individuals diagnosed with tuberculosis disease of whom 72 369 (35·7% women and 64·3% men) could be included in analyses. We observed an overall higher risk of any adverse outcome (defined as diagnosis after death, treatment discontinuation, or death during treatment) for non-Hispanic Black people (aRR 1·27, 95% CI 1·22-1·32), Hispanic people (1·20, 1·14-1·27), and American Indian or Alaska Native people (1·24, 1·12-1·37), relative to non-Hispanic White people. The Index of Disparity for this summary outcome remained unchanged over the study period. INTERPRETATION: This study, based on national surveillance data, indicates racial and ethnic disparaties among US-born tuberculosis patients along the tuberculosis continuum of care. Initiatives are needed to reduce diagnostic delays and improve treatment outcomes for US-born racially marginalised people in the USA. FUNDING: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Characteristics of and Deaths among 333 Persons with Tuberculosis and COVID-19 in Cross-Sectional Sample from 25 Jurisdictions, United States.

Little is known about co-occurring tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19 in low TB incidence settings. We obtained a cross-section of 333 persons in the United States co-diagnosed with TB and COVID-19 within 180 days and compared them to 4,433 persons with TB only in 2020 and 18,898 persons with TB during 2017‒2019. Across both comparison groups, a higher proportion of persons with TB-COVID-19 were Hispanic, were long-term care facility residents, and had diabetes. When adjusted for age, underlying conditions, and TB severity, COVID-19 co-infection was not statistically associated with death compared with TB infection only in 2020 (adjusted prevalence ratio 1.0 [95% CI 0.8‒1.4]). Among TB-COVID-19 patients, death was associated with a shorter interval between TB and COVID-19 diagnoses, older age, and being immunocompromised (non-HIV). TB-COVID-19 deaths in the United States appear to be concentrated in subgroups sharing characteristics known to increase risk for death from either disease alone.

Epidemiology of Salmonellosis Among Infants in the United States: 1968-2015.

OBJECTIVES: Describe characteristics of gastroenteritis, bacteremia, and meningitis caused by nontyphoidal Salmonella among US infants. METHODS: We analyze national surveillance data during 1968-2015 and active, sentinel surveillance data during 1996-2015 for culture-confirmed Salmonella infections by syndrome, year, serotype, age, and race. RESULTS: During 1968-2015, 190 627 culture-confirmed Salmonella infections among infants were reported, including 165 236 (86.7%) cases of gastroenteritis, 6767 (3.5%) bacteremia, 371 (0.2%) meningitis, and 18 253 (9.7%) with other or unknown specimen sources. Incidence increased during the late 1970s-1980s, declined during the 1990s-early 2000s, and has gradually increased since the mid-2000s. Infants' median age was 4 months for gastroenteritis and bacteremia and 2 months for meningitis. The most frequently reported serotypes were Typhimurium (35 468; 22%) for gastroenteritis and Heidelberg for bacteremia (1954; 29%) and meningitis (65; 18%). During 1996-2015 in sentinel site surveillance, median annual incidence of gastroenteritis was 120, bacteremia 6.2, and meningitis 0.25 per 100 000 infants. Boys had a higher incidence of each syndrome than girls in both surveillance systems, but most differences were not statistically significant. Overall, hospitalization and fatality rates were 26% and 0.1% for gastroenteritis, 70% and 1.6% for bacteremia, and 96% and 4% for meningitis. During 2004-2015, invasive salmonellosis incidence was higher for Black (incident rate ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.6-2.8) and Asian (incident rate ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-1.8) than white infants. CONCLUSIONS: Salmonellosis causes substantial infant morbidity and mortality; serotype heidelberg caused the most invasive infections. Infants with meningitis were younger than those with bacteremia or gastroenteritis. Research into risk factors for infection and invasive illness could inform prevention efforts.

Tuberculosis - United States, 2022.

Incidence of reported tuberculosis (TB) decreased gradually in the United States during 1993-2019, reaching 2.7 cases per 100,000 persons in 2019. Incidence substantially declined in 2020 to 2.2, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic (1). Proposed explanations for the decline include delayed or missed TB diagnoses, changes in migration and travel, and mortality among persons susceptible to TB reactivation (1). Disparities (e.g., by race and ethnicity) in TB incidence have been described (2). During 2021, TB incidence partially rebounded (to 2.4) but remained substantially below that during prepandemic years, raising concerns about ongoing delayed diagnoses (1). During 2022, the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia (DC) provisionally reported 8,300 TB cases to the National Tuberculosis Surveillance System. TB incidence was calculated using midyear population estimates and stratified by birth origin and by race and ethnicity. During 2022, TB incidence increased slightly to 2.5 although it remained lower than during prepandemic years.* Compared with that in 2021, TB epidemiology in 2022 was characterized by more cases among non-U.S.-born persons newly arrived in the United States; higher TB incidence among non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) and non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (NH/OPI) persons and persons aged ≤4 and 15-24 years; and slightly lower incidence among persons aged ≥65 years. TB incidence appears to be returning to prepandemic levels. TB disparities persist; addressing these disparities requires timely TB diagnosis and treatment to interrupt transmission and prevention of TB through treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI).

Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Tuberculosis Among People Experiencing Homelessness in the United States: Current Recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: Tuberculosis (TB) is a public health problem, especially among people experiencing homelessness (PEH). The Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis issued recommendations in 1992 for TB prevention and control among PEH. Our goal was to provide current guidelines and information in one place to inform medical and public health providers and TB programs on TB incidence, diagnosis, and treatment among PEH. METHODS: We reviewed and synthesized diagnostic and treatment recommendations for TB disease and latent TB infection (LTBI) as of 2022 and information after 1992 on the magnitude of homelessness in the United States, the incidence of TB among PEH, the role of public health departments in TB case management among PEH, and recently published evidence. RESULTS: In 2018, there were 1.45 million estimated PEH in the United States. During the past 2 decades, the incidence of TB was >10 times higher and the prevalence of LTBI was 7 to 20 times higher among PEH than among people not experiencing homelessness. TB outbreaks were common in overnight shelters. Permanent housing for PEH and the use of rapid TB diagnostic tests, along with isolation and treatment, reduced TB exposure among PEH. The use of direct observation enhanced treatment adherence among PEH, as did involvement of social workers to help secure shelter, food, safety, and treatment for comorbidities, especially HIV and substance use disorders. Testing and treatment for LTBI prevented progression to TB disease, and shorter LTBI regimens helped improve adherence. Federal agencies and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council have helpful resources. CONCLUSION: Improvements in TB diagnosis, treatment, and prevention among PEH are possible by following existing recommendations and using client-centered approaches.

Power Law for Estimating Underdetection of Foodborne Disease Outbreaks, United States.

We fit a power law distribution to US foodborne disease outbreaks to assess underdetection and underreporting. We predicted that 788 fewer than expected small outbreaks were identified annually during 1998-2017 and 365 fewer during 2018-2019, after whole-genome sequencing was implemented. Power law can help assess effectiveness of public health interventions.

Tuberculosis - United States, 2021.

During 1993-2019, the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States decreased steadily; however, during the later years of that period the annual rate of decline slowed (1) until 2020 when a substantial decline (19.9%) was observed. This sharp decrease in TB incidence might have been related to multiple factors coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, including delayed or missed TB diagnoses or a true reduction in TB incidence related to pandemic mitigation efforts and changes in immigration and travel (2). During 2021, a total of 7,860 TB cases were provisionally reported to CDC's National Tuberculosis Surveillance System (NTSS) by the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia (DC). National incidence of reported TB (cases per 100,000 persons) rose 9.4% during 2021 (2.37) compared with that in 2020 (2.16) but remained 12.6% lower than the rate during 2019 (2.71).* During 2021, TB incidence increased among both U.S.-born and non-U.S.-born persons. The increased TB incidence observed during 2021 compared with 2020 might be partially explained by delayed diagnosis of cases in persons with symptom onset during 2020; however, the continued, substantial reduction from prepandemic levels raises concern for ongoing underdiagnosis. TB control and prevention services, including early diagnosis and complete treatment of TB and latent TB infection, should be maintained and TB awareness promoted to achieve elimination in the United States.

Decrease in Tuberculosis Cases during COVID-19 Pandemic as Reflected by Outpatient Pharmacy Data, United States, 2020.

We analyzed a pharmacy dataset to assess the 20% decline in tuberculosis (TB) cases reported to the US National Tuberculosis Surveillance System (NTSS) during the coronavirus disease pandemic in 2020 compared with the 2016-2019 average. We examined the correlation between TB medication dispensing data to TB case counts in NTSS and used a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model to predict expected 2020 counts. Trends in the TB medication data were correlated with trends in NTSS data during 2006-2019. There were fewer prescriptions and cases in 2020 than would be expected on the basis of previous trends. This decrease was particularly large during April-May 2020. These data are consistent with NTSS data, suggesting that underreporting is not occurring but not ruling out underdiagnosis or actual decline. Understanding the mechanisms behind the 2020 decline in reported TB cases will help TB programs better prepare for postpandemic cases.

Disease Surveillance Among U.S.-Bound Immigrants and Refugees - Electronic Disease Notification System, United States, 2014-2019.

PROBLEM/CONDITION: Each year, approximately 500,000 immigrants and tens of thousands of refugees (range: 12,000-85,000 during 2001-2020) move to the United States. While still abroad, immigrants, refugees, and others who apply for admission to live permanently in the United States must undergo a medical examination. This examination identifies persons with class A or B conditions. Applicants with class A conditions are inadmissible. Infectious conditions that cause an applicant to be inadmissible include infectious tuberculosis (TB) disease (class A TB), infectious syphilis, gonorrhea, and infectious Hansen's disease. Applicants with class B conditions are admissible but might require treatment or follow-up. Class B TB includes persons who completed successful treatment overseas for TB disease (class B0), those with signs or symptoms suggestive of TB but whose overseas laboratory tests and clinical examinations ruled out current infectious TB disease (class B1), those with a diagnosis of latent TB infection (LTBI) (class B2), and the close contacts of persons known to have TB disease (class B3). Voluntary public health interventions might also be offered during the overseas examination. After arriving in the United States, a follow-up TB examination is recommended for persons with class B TB. PERIOD COVERED: This report summarizes health information that was reported to CDC's Electronic Disease Notification (EDN) system for refugees, immigrants, and eligible others who arrived in the United States during 2014-2019. Eligible others are persons who although not classified as refugees (e.g., certain parolees, special immigrant visa holders, and follow-to-join asylees) are eligible for the same services and benefits as refugees. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: The EDN system has both surveillance and programmatic components. The surveillance component is a centralized database that collects 1) health-related data from the overseas medical examination for immigrants with class A or B conditions and for all refugees and eligible others and 2) TB-related data from the postarrival TB examination. The programmatic component is a reporting system that sends arrival notifications to state and local health agencies in the jurisdiction where newly arriving persons have reported intending to live and provides state and local health agencies and other authorized users with medical data from overseas examinations. RESULTS: During 2014-2019, approximately 3.5 million persons moved to the United States from abroad, including 3.2 million immigrants, 313,890 refugees, and 95,993 eligible others. Among these, the overseas examination identified 139,683 persons (3,903 per 100,000 persons examined) with class B TB, 54 with primary or secondary syphilis (30 per 100,000 persons tested), 761 with latent syphilis (415 per 100,000 persons tested), and, after laboratory testing for gonorrhea was added in 2016, a total of 131 with gonorrhea (374 per 100,000 persons tested). Refugees were offered additional, voluntary interventions, including vaccinations and presumptive treatment for parasites. By 2019, first- and second-dose coverage with measles-containing vaccine were 96% and 80%, respectively. In refugee populations for whom presumptive treatment is recommended, up to 96% of refugees, depending on the specific regimen, were offered and accepted treatment. For the 139,683 persons identified overseas with class B TB, EDN sent arrival notifications and overseas medical data to the appropriate state or local health agency to facilitate postarrival TB examinations. Among 101,119 persons identified overseas as having class B0 TB (6,586) or class B1 TB (94,533), a total of 67,432 (67%) had a complete postarrival examination reported to EDN. Among 35,814 children aged 2-14 years identified overseas with class B2 TB, 20,758 (58%) had a complete postarrival examination reported to EDN. (Adults are not routinely tested for immune reactivity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis during the overseas medical examination.) Among those with a complete postarrival examination reported to EDN, the number with a diagnosis of culture-positive TB disease within the first year of arrival was 464 (688 cases per 100,000 persons examined) for those with class B0 or B1 TB and was 11 (53 cases per 100,000 persons examined) for children with class B2 TB. INTERPRETATION: During 2014-2019, the overseas medical examination system prevented importation of 6,586 cases of infectious TB, 815 cases of syphilis, and 131 cases of gonorrhea. When the examination is used to offer public health interventions, most refugees (up to 96%) accept the intervention. Postarrival follow-up examinations, which were completed for 88,190 persons and identified 475 cases of culture-positive TB, represent an important opportunity to further limit spread of TB disease in the United States by identifying and providing, if needed, preventive care for those with LTBI or treatment for those with disease. PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION: Federal, state, and local health departments and agencies should continue to use EDN data to monitor, evaluate, and improve health-related programs and policies aimed at U.S.-bound or recently arrived immigrants, refugees, and eligible others. Additional public health interventions that could be offered during the overseas medical examination should be considered (e.g., treatment for LTBI). Finally, for persons with class B TB, measures should be taken to identify and remove barriers to completing postarrival examinations to reduce risk for TB disease and community transmission, along with measures to encourage reporting of completed examinations for better data-driven decision-making.

Hospitalization of Adolescents Aged 12-17 Years with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 - COVID-NET, 14 States, March 1, 2020-April 24, 2021.

Most COVID-19-associated hospitalizations occur in older adults, but severe disease that requires hospitalization occurs in all age groups, including adolescents aged 12-17 years (1). On May 10, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration expanded the Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to include persons aged 12-15 years, and CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended it for this age group on May 12, 2021.* Before that time, COVID-19 vaccines had been available only to persons aged ≥16 years. Understanding and describing the epidemiology of COVID-19-associated hospitalizations in adolescents and comparing it with adolescent hospitalizations associated with other vaccine-preventable respiratory viruses, such as influenza, offers evidence of the benefits of expanding the recommended age range for vaccination and provides a baseline and context from which to assess vaccination impact. Using the Coronavirus Disease 2019-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (COVID-NET), CDC examined COVID-19-associated hospitalizations among adolescents aged 12-17 years, including demographic and clinical characteristics of adolescents admitted during January 1-March 31, 2021, and hospitalization rates (hospitalizations per 100,000 persons) among adolescents during March 1, 2020-April 24, 2021. Among 204 adolescents who were likely hospitalized primarily for COVID-19 during January 1-March 31, 2021, 31.4% were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU), and 4.9% required invasive mechanical ventilation; there were no associated deaths. During March 1, 2020-April 24, 2021, weekly adolescent hospitalization rates peaked at 2.1 per 100,000 in early January 2021, declined to 0.6 in mid-March, and then rose to 1.3 in April. Cumulative COVID-19-associated hospitalization rates during October 1, 2020-April 24, 2021, were 2.5-3.0 times higher than were influenza-associated hospitalization rates from three recent influenza seasons (2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20) obtained from the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET). Recent increased COVID-19-associated hospitalization rates in March and April 2021 and the potential for severe disease in adolescents reinforce the importance of continued COVID-19 prevention measures, including vaccination and correct and consistent wearing of masks by persons not yet fully vaccinated or when required by laws, rules, or regulations.†.

Estimating and Evaluating Tuberculosis Incidence Rates Among People Experiencing Homelessness, United States, 2007-2016.

OBJECTIVES: Persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) are disproportionately affected by tuberculosis (TB). We estimate area-specific rates of TB among PEH and characterize the extent to which available data support recent transmission as an explanation of high TB incidence. METHODS: We estimated TB incidence among PEH using National Tuberculosis Surveillance System data and population estimates for the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's Continuums of Care areas. For areas with TB incidence higher than the national average among PEH, we estimated recent transmission using genotyping and a plausible source-case method. For cases with ≥1 plausible source case, we assessed with TB program partners whether available whole-genome sequencing and local epidemiologic data were consistent with recent transmission. RESULTS: During 2011-2016, 3164 TB patients reported experiencing homelessness. National incidence was 36 cases/100,000 PEH. Incidence estimates varied among 21 areas with ≥10,000 PEH (9-150 cases/100,000 PEH); 9 areas had higher than average incidence. Of the 2349 cases with Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotyping results, 874 (37%) had ≥1 plausible source identified. In the 9 areas, 23%-82% of cases had ≥1 plausible source. Of cases with ≥1 plausible source, 63% were consistent and 7% were inconsistent with recent transmission; 29% were inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS: Disparities in TB incidence for PEH persist; estimates of TB incidence and recent transmission vary by area. With a better understanding of the TB risk among PEH in their jurisdictions and the role of recent transmission as a driver, programs can make more informed decisions about prioritizing TB prevention strategies.

Tuberculosis - United States, 2020.

Tuberculosis (TB) disease incidence has decreased steadily since 1993 (1), a result of decades of work by local TB programs to detect, treat, and prevent TB disease and transmission. During 2020, a total of 7,163 TB cases were provisionally reported to CDC's National Tuberculosis Surveillance System (NTSS) by the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia (DC), a relative reduction of 20%, compared with the number of cases reported during 2019.* TB incidence per 100,000 persons was 2.2 during 2020, compared with 2.7 during 2019. Since 2010, TB incidence has decreased by an average of 2%-3% annually (1). Pandemic mitigation efforts and reduced travel might have contributed to the reported decrease. The magnitude and breadth of the decrease suggest potentially missed or delayed TB diagnoses. Health care providers should consider TB disease when evaluating patients with signs and symptoms consistent with TB (e.g., cough of >2 weeks in duration, unintentional weight loss, and hemoptysis), especially when diagnostic tests are negative for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. In addition, members of the public should be encouraged to follow up with their health care providers for any respiratory illness that persists or returns after initial treatment. The steep, unexpected decline in TB cases raises concerns of missed cases, and further work is in progress to better understand factors associated with the decline.

Shelter Characteristics, Infection Prevention Practices, and Universal Testing for SARS-CoV-2 at Homeless Shelters in 7 US Urban Areas.

Objectives. To examine shelter characteristics and infection prevention practices in relation to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection point prevalence during universal testing at homeless shelters in the United States.Methods. SARS-CoV-2 testing was offered to clients and staff at homeless shelters, irrespective of symptoms. Site assessments were conducted from March 30 to June 1, 2020, to collect information on shelter characteristics and infection prevention practices. We assessed the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence and shelter characteristics, including 20 infection prevention practices by using crude risk ratios (RRs) and exact unconditional 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Results. Site assessments and SARS-CoV-2 testing results were reported for 63 homeless shelters in 7 US urban areas. Median infection prevalence was 2.9% (range = 0%-71.4%). Shelters implementing head-to-toe sleeping and excluding symptomatic staff from working were less likely to have high infection prevalence (RR = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.3, 0.8; and RR = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.4, 0.6; respectively); shelters with medical services available were less likely to have very high infection prevalence (RR = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.2, 1.0).Conclusions. Sleeping arrangements and staffing policies are modifiable factors that might be associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence in homeless shelters. Shelters should follow recommended practices to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

COVID-19 Outbreak Among Three Affiliated Homeless Service Sites - King County, Washington, 2020.

On March 30, 2020, Public Health - Seattle and King County (PHSKC) was notified of a confirmed case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a resident of a homeless shelter and day center (shelter A). Residents from two other homeless shelters (B and C) used shelter A's day center services. Testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, was offered to available residents and staff members at the three shelters during March 30-April 1, 2020. Among the 181 persons tested, 19 (10.5%) had positive test results (15 residents and four staff members). On April 1, PHSKC and CDC collaborated to conduct site assessments and symptom screening, isolate ill residents and staff members, reinforce infection prevention and control practices, provide face masks, and advise on sheltering-in-place. Repeat testing was offered April 7-8 to all residents and staff members who were not tested initially or who had negative test results. Among the 118 persons tested in the second round of testing, 18 (15.3%) had positive test results (16 residents and two staff members). In addition to the 31 residents and six staff members identified through testing at the shelters, two additional cases in residents were identified during separate symptom screening events, and four were identified after two residents and two staff members independently sought health care. In total, COVID-19 was diagnosed in 35 of 195 (18%) residents and eight of 38 (21%) staff members who received testing at the shelter or were evaluated elsewhere. COVID-19 can spread quickly in homeless shelters; rapid interventions including testing and isolation to identify cases and minimize transmission are necessary. CDC recommends that homeless service providers implement appropriate infection control practices, apply physical distancing measures including ensuring resident's heads are at least 6 feet (2 meters) apart while sleeping, and promote use of cloth face coverings among all residents (1).

What is the cost of integration? Evidence from an integrated health and agriculture project to improve nutrition outcomes in Western Kenya.

Integrated nutrition and agricultural interventions have the potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of investments in food security and nutrition. This article aimed to estimate the costs of an integrated agriculture and health intervention (Mama SASHA) focused on the promotion of orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) production and consumption in Western Kenya. Programme activities included nutrition education and distribution of vouchers for OFSP vines during antenatal care and postnatal care (PNC) visits. We used expenditures and activity-based costing to estimate the financial costs during programme implementation (2011-13). Cost data were collected from monthly expense reports and interviews with staff members from all implementing organizations. Financial costs totalled US$507 809 for the project period. Recruiting and retaining women over the duration of their pregnancy and postpartum period required significant resources. Mama SASHA reached 3281 pregnant women at a cost of US$155 per beneficiary. Including both pregnant women and infants who attended PNC services with their mothers, the cost was US$110 per beneficiary. Joint planning, co-ordination and training across sectors drove 27% of programme costs. This study found that the average cost per beneficiary to implement an integrated agriculture, health and nutrition programme was substantial. Planning and implementing less intensive integrated interventions may be possible, and economies of scale may reduce overall costs. Empirical estimates of costs by components are critical for future planning and scaling up of integrated programmes.

Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Associated with Packaged Leafy Green Salads, United States and Canada, 2015-2016.

We investigated an outbreak of listeriosis detected by whole-genome multilocus sequence typing and associated with packaged leafy green salads. Nineteen cases were identified in the United States during July 5, 2015-January 31, 2016; isolates from case-patients were closely related (median difference 3 alleles, range 0-16 alleles). Of 16 case-patients interviewed, all reported salad consumption. Of 9 case-patients who recalled brand information, all reported brands processed at a common US facility. The Public Health Agency of Canada simultaneously investigated 14 cases of listeriosis associated with this outbreak. Isolates from the processing facility, packaged leafy green salads, and 9 case-patients from Canada were closely related to US clinical isolates (median difference 3 alleles, range 0-16 alleles). This investigation led to a recall of packaged leafy green salads made at the processing facility. Additional research is needed to identify best practices and effective policies to reduce the likelihood of Listeria monocytogenes contamination of fresh produce.