Tuesday is World Tuberculosis Day

**Media Inquiries: Please call (213) 240-8144. If you able to list some
of our events (below) on your Community Calendars, we would greatly
appreciate it! Please note: to protect patient privacy, some clinics may
not allow television or print cameras to document activities. Thank you
for your understanding.**

For Immediate Release:
March 23, 2009

World Tuberculosis Day is March 24
Tuberculosis watch groups use observance to focus on HIV-infected
population at risk for tuberculosis

LOS ANGELES - World Tuberculosis Day, on March 24th, commemorates the
discovery of tuberculosis bacillus (TB) by Dr. Robert Koch in Germany in
1882. Today, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Tuberculosis Control Program, in partnership with the TB Coalition of
Los Angeles County, works to provide education and treatment for those
suffering from tuberculosis. One of the most at-risk populations for
developing TB is HIV-infected individuals.

"World Tuberculosis Day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness of
this health threat that does affect LA County. One of the groups most at
risk is the population suffering from HIV," said Jonathan E. Fielding,
MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer. "Without
education and treatment, HIV and TB together drastically shorten the
life of the person infected. Programs such as Public Health's TB
Control need continued support and sufficient funding to keep
tuberculosis in check, not only for the HIV-infected community, but for
all populations throughout LA County."

Last year in Los Angeles County, there were nearly 800 cases of
tuberculosis. Of those, nearly eight percent were persons already
infected with HIV. This rate has decreased from 10%, five years ago.
"Effective education and treatment have led to this significant
decrease; however more needs to be done," said Dr. Fielding.

An HIV-infected person who also has a latent (non-active) tuberculosis
infection is up to 800 times more likely to develop active tuberculosis
disease during his or her lifetime, leading to an AIDS-defining
condition.

As part of World Tuberculosis Day, the week of March 23-27 will be
dedicated to efforts to prevent as many TB cases as possible for all
populations throughout LA County. Nurses and health educators from the
Coalition will staff information tables at selected Ryan White-funded
Early Intervention Clinics to educate the public and healthcare
professionals about tuberculosis and its relationship to HIV/AIDS.
Informational posters will also be on display at other HIV clinics and
public health centers throughout the county.

The following is a list of events:
● AIDS Healthcare Foundation - Downtown
Monday, March 23, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
1414 S. Grand Ave, Los Angeles 90015

● AIDS Healthcare Foundation - Westside
Tuesday, March 24, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
99 La Cienega Blvd, Suite 200, Beverly Hills 90211

● AIDS Healthcare Foundation - Hollywood
Wednesday, March 25, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
1300 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles 90027

● Prototypes - Women's Early Intervention Program
Wednesday, March 25, 9:00 - 1:00 p.m.
1300 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles 90027

● Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center - Rand Schraeder Clinic
(5P21)
Wednesday, March 25, 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
1300 N. Mission Rd, Los Angeles 90033

● Altamed Health Services Foundation - Daniel V. Lara HIV
Comprehensive Care Program
Thursday, March 26, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
5427 East Whittier Blvd, Los Angeles 90022

● King-Drew Oasis Clinic
Thursday, March 26, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
1807 E. 120th St, Los Angeles 90059

Partners of the TB Coalition of Los Angeles County include: American
Lung Association of California, South Asian Network, AIDS Healthcare
Foundation, Homeless Healthcare Los Angeles and Public Health TB Control
Program.

For more information on tuberculosis, please visit the TB Control
Program website at: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/tb/index.htm.

The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and
improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles
County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and
services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control,
and community and family health. Public Health comprises more than 4,000
employees and an annual budget exceeding $750 million. To learn more
about Public Health and the work we do, please visit
http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

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Sarah Kissell
Public Information Officer
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
313 N Figueroa St, Suite 806
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 989-7183 (direct)
(213) 240-8144 (media)
(213) 481-1406 (fax)
skissell@ph.lacounty.gov