Tuberculosis: Spatial and demographic incidence in Bradford, 1980-82

Abstract

Between 1980 and 1982 the incidence of tuberculosis in Bradford Health Authority was approximately 20 times higher among the New Commonwealth and Pakistani population than the rest of the population. It was also possible to see a clustering of cases within this time period, spatially and demographically - in certain age groups and by sex. The difference between the two populations was not due to race but rather reflects the socioeconomic position that the New Commonwealth and Pakistani population has within Bradford as a whole. The incidence of non-Asian tuberculosis rose in 1982 due to an outbreak among unvaccinated young adults. Much still needs to be done to eradicate the environmental conditions within which the tubercle bacillus thrives as well as to educate the population at risk.