World TB Day, held on March 24 each year, is an occasion to raise awareness about the devastating health and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB).
TB is often considered a disease of the past – an illness that no longer threatens us today. Although TB rates have dropped for the past 20 years in the United States, TB continues to be one of the deadliest diseases in the world. Although TB can be cured with proper medical care, it still kills almost 2 million people every year, including more than 550 in the United States.
The incidence of TB in Texas decreased steadily between the mid-1990s and 2011, peaking at 2542 cases in 1994. This was followed by an average annual decrease of 4% over the next fifteen years. The majority of the TB burden continues to be in the metropolitan counties (Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Tarrant and Travis) and border area (32- county Texas-Mexico border area agreed upon by La Paz agreement). There likely are many reasons for the recent decline in TB, including the strong efforts of local and state health departments, health care providers and facilities, laboratories, community groups and others to address this disease. Although there has been a decrease in the overall numbers of cases across the state, the rate of TB in Texas continues to exceed that of the United States. On a national level, Texas routinely does not meet many of the national TB control benchmark indicators, thus more work needs to be done.
This year the DSHS joins with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the global Stop TB partnership adopting the slogan “Stop TB in My Lifetime”. We must remain vigilant to think TB, treat TB and prevent the spread of TB in our communities.
Activities Around the State
Austin - Central Office
The Texas Department of State Health Services is hosting an educational event to commemorate World TB Day and bring awareness to the theme of "Stop TB in My Lifetime". Guests will hear presentations on Texas TB epidemiologic findings, new technologies for TB laboratories, activities of community partners, and medical advances.
Date of Event:
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March 23, 2012
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Time of Event:
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9:00am – 11:00am
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Location of Event:
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DSHS Auditorium (K-100)
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Contact Person:
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Lara Miller
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Organization:
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Texas Department of State Health Services
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Address:
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4900 W. 49th Street
Austin, TX 78746
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Telephone Number:
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(512) 776-6315
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E-mail:
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Lara Miller
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Download agenda 
(41 KB)
Marfa
In recognition of World TB Day, The Texas Department of State Health Services in partnership with US-Mexico Border Health Commission, CDC Quarantine and Migration Health, Binational Health Councils, and Servicios de Salud de Chihuahua will host a Binational TB Forum in Marfa, Texas. The purpose of the forum is to increase TB awareness, prevention, and control. The binational forum is intended for physicians, nurses, public health staff, correctional facilities, and those who work in identifying, case managing, and treating patients with tuberculosis infection or disease. Registration deadline is March 16th, 2012. For more information, please email Adriana Corona or call (915) 834-7690.
Date of Event:
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Thursday, March 23, 2012
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Time of Event:
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9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
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Location of Event:
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St. Mary’s Church Hall
211 W. San Antonio Street
Marfa, Texas 79843
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Contact Person:
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Lupe Gonzalez
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Organization:
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Texas Department of State Health Services
Health Service Region 9/10
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Address:
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401 E. Franklin, Suite 210,
El Paso, TX 79901
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Telephone Number:
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(915) 834-7792
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E-mail:
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Lupe Gonzalez
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Download brochure (317 KB)
Download registration form (82 KB)
McLennan County
In recognition of World TB Day, The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District (WMCPHD), TB Control Clinic will have an exhibit booth at the entrance of the building on March 22nd, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. In case of inclement weather, the booth will be set up in the lobby. The display will contain TB informational brochures and the first 100 people will receive a bag with health promotion items.
Date of Event:
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March 22, 2012
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Time of Event:
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9:00am – 11:00am
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Location of Event:
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Waco-McLennan County Public Health District/TB Control Clinic
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Contact Person:
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Deyanira Arizpe
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Organization:
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Waco-McLennan County Public Health District
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Address:
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225 W. Waco Drive
Waco, TX 76707
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Telephone Number:
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(254) 750-5496
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E-mail:
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Deyanira Arizpe |
Tarrant County
To commemorate World TB Day, the Tarrant county public health department will have a display table with tuberculosis information, TB test prices, statistics, and World TB Day posters.
Date of Event:
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March 5–30, 2012
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Time of Event:
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During business hours
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Location of Event:
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Tarrant County Public Health Department
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Contact Person:
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Rose Young
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Organization:
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Tarrant County Public Health Department
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Address:
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1101 S. Main Ste. 1600
Ft. Worth, Texas 76104
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Telephone Number:
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(817) 321-4901
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E-mail:
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Rose Young
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