Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated tuberculosis (TB) morbidity trends among foreign-born and US-born persons. METHODS: TB surveillance data in New Jersey from 1986 to 1995 were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall TB incidence rate in New Jersey declined 15% from 1992 to 1995 after 7 years of increase. However, the incidence rate of TB in foreign-born persons increased 75% from 1986 through 1995. The proportion of foreign-born persons with TB increased from 20% in 1986 to 37% in 1995. CONCLUSIONS: 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 reduce TB morbidity in foreign-born persons.