February 20, 2025
Area(s) of Interest:
Public Health
What You Need to Know: A new state law requires adult patients receiving primary care services to be offered a TB screening test if risk factors are identified. CDPH is offering a free webinar on April 24 that will cover best practices for latent TB screening and treatment.
On January 1, 2025, a new law took effect to address the preventable suffering and death caused by tuberculosis in California. An estimated 2 million Californians are infected with tuberculosis (TB). AB 2132, authored by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley), requires adult patients receiving primary care services to be offered a TB screening test if risk factors are identified, and if the patient’s health insurance covers it, followed by provision or referral for appropriate follow-up care.
Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, TB was the top infectious disease killer worldwide, claiming more than 1.5 million lives every year. Californians are disproportionately affected by the disease, with about 2,000 Californians diagnosed with active TB disease every year and over 2 million Californians infected with the bacteria but not yet sick. California’s tuberculosis incidence is nearly double that of the national incidence rate.
Of the more than 2 million Californians with latent TB infection, only 20% are aware of their diagnosis and only 12% have been treated. TB disproportionately impacts subgroups defined by race, ethnicity, and place of birth in California and urgently needs addressing from a health equity lens.
The Important Role of Physicians
Primary care providers serve a critical role in identifying patients with risk factors for TB infection. Because there is not an effective vaccine, the most promising tool in the fight against TB is diagnosing and treating latent TB infection, as recommended by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
The CDPH Tuberculosis Control Branch is hosting a free webinar for physicians on Thursday April 24 from 12-1:30 p.m. that will cover best practices for latent TB screening and treatment. Registration is open now for this webinar.
Please see the resources below for more information or contact CDPH TB Control Branch at TBFreeCATraining@cdph.ca.gov with any questions.
Additional Resources:
Return