Tuberculosis among the homeless at a temporary shelter in London: report of a chest x ray screening programme.

Abstract

Study objective -To estimate the prevalence of active pulmonary tuberculosis in a homeless population in London and to assess whether those with suspected disease could be integrated into the existing health care system for further follow up and treatment.

Urban Health Challenges in Europe

“…In London, for example, tuberculosis is also 150 times more likely to be found among the homeless population. 33 Housing and Health: Renewed Challenges At the Fourth European Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health held in Budapest in 2004, housing and health were attributed a high priority. This decision by the Ministers of Environment and Health from more than 50 European countries reflected and reinforced a growing concern about the health status of residents, especially those living in urban areas.…”

The management for tuberculosis control in Greater London in comparison with that in Osaka City: lessons for improvement of TB control management in Osaka City urban setting

“…Screening of highrisk groups like close contacts of smear-positive TB cases, homeless people, and new immigrants is also recommended by the BTS [70]. In Greater London, the screening of homeless people has been sporadically implemented and that of new immigrants has been implemented as one of the priorities for targeting screening [35,[108][109][110][111][112][113][114][115]. It is worthwhile mentioning that there are many challenges associated with new immigrant screening and it is still not implemented in some parts of the city where resources are limited.…”

“…The detection of active TB cases through monthly screening service targeting homeless people at Nishinari ward in Osaka City showed as significantly high as 1.7% (35 TB cases/2108 screened) in 2001 [47]. Routine screening targeting homeless people has not yet been systemically implemented in Greater London, whereas piloted MMR 12 screening has been done in some inner London boroughs [35,108,109]. It is essential to strengthen the early detection of active TB cases among homeless people who are suspected to have significantly high TB prevalence.…”

Intra-urban health differentials in London - urban health indicators and policy implications

“…As tuberculosis is a notifiable disease, prevalence data could be used to confirm the validity of admissions data although it is current practice for all new TB patients to spend time in hospital receiving chemotherapy. Tuberculosis in London is also 150 times more likely to be found among the homeless population (31) which falls through the net of regular statistics collection for the census or hospital admissions by not having fixed addresses. It is also associated with a vegetarian diet (32) in south Asian Hindus, thought to be the result of a deficiency of vitamin D to fight infection.…”