New York City Health Department Recognizes World Tuberculosis Day, Strengthens Efforts to End Tuberculosis

New York City Health Department Recognizes World Tuberculosis Day, Strengthens Efforts to End Tuberculosis

New Data Shows an 11 Percent Decrease in 2025 Compared to 2024, but TB Case Rates Remain Elevated Across New York City

Health Department Offers New Short Course Treatment Regimen and Enhanced Mobile Services

March 24, 2026 - Today, the NYC Health Department marks World Tuberculosis (TB) Day with new data showing 743 TB cases in 2025, an 11 percent decrease from 2024. Despite this, the overall number of TB cases in NYC remains elevated compared to recent years, underscoring the need for continued surveillance and innovation in TB prevention and control.

"On World Tuberculosis Day, we acknowledge the efforts of the NYC Health Department and our healthcare partners as they create innovative and affordable solutions to addressing TB in our city," said NYC Deputy Mayor Dr. Helen Arteaga. "Last year's 11-percent decrease in cases is a positive sign, and we intend to build on this progress by solidifying the city's collaborative, compassionate approach to providing care to New Yorkers."

"Last year, TB caused more deaths worldwide than any other infectious disease, including COVID-19 and HIV," said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin. "Together with our incredible partners, the NYC Health Department is committed to fighting TB by ensuring New Yorkers have access to no cost, cutting-edge TB screening, care, and other critical services in New York City."

"Tuberculosis is preventable and treatable, yet it continues to impact far too many New Yorkers," said Chair of The New York City Council Committee on Health, Lynn Schulman. "On World Tuberculosis Day, we recognize the progress being made, but the fact that rates remain elevated shows we cannot let up now. I commend the NYC Health Department for expanding innovative approaches like shorter treatment regimens, mobile screening services, and no-cost care-making it easier for New Yorkers to get tested and treated. We must continue building on this work by expanding access to screening, treatment, and care-especially for communities that face the greatest barriers-to ensure no one is left behind."

In 2025, TB continued to be seen throughout all of NYC and affected people of all ages, with over a quarter of cases among people ages 65 and older. TB was diagnosed in people born in 67 different countries, with 10 percent of cases among those born in the United States (US). Among the US-born, TB continued to disproportionately affect non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic people. Compared to 2024, the number of people with TB who experienced homelessness fell by 56 percent. Complex cases of TB persist in NYC with 10 people diagnosed with multidrug resistant TB in 2025.

In response to elevated case numbers over the last few years and to enhance TB prevention and care, the Health Department has adopted emerging technologies, shorter-course treatment regimens, and new developments in TB diagnostics. These efforts are strengthened by our partnerships with health care providers, laboratories, and community partners.

New and Expanded Health Department Anti-TB Initiatives

Shortened Treatment Regimen: In early 2025, the Health Department began offering a new shorter treatment regimen for latent TB infection at its TB Chest Centers. ​This regimen reduces the number of required clinic visits and shortens preventive treatment from 3-9 months to just 1 month. ​In 2025, 337 patients started this regimen, with 75 percent completing treatment by mid-February 2026.

Updated Isolation Guidelines: The Health Department's adoption of new guidelines from the National TB Coalition of America in 2025 has led to shorter hospital stays and quicker returns to work, school, and social activities for individuals with TB disease.

Mobile TB Services: The Health Department continues to work with NYC Health + Hospitals and other partners to expand mobile X-ray services, improving TB screening among transient populations and groups facing barriers to care.

No-Cost TB Screening and Services

The Health Department operates three chest centers in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens, providing expert, no-cost TB testing and treatment services, regardless of immigration or insurance status. ​This includes offering telehealth services in many languages to increase efficiency of care delivery and improve patient experience. Over half (51 percent) of patients confirmed with TB disease in NYC in 2025 received care at a Health Department TB Chest Center. Health Department medical consultants also provide consultation to community providers about TB diagnosis and care and isolation and other prevention measures.

Since 2022, the Health Department has collaborated with various city and state agencies to enhance TB screening and services in shelters, Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers, and other temporary housing sites. ​Between December 2022 and December 2025, over 30,000 individuals received on-site TB-related services through this initiative, including TB testing, chest X-rays, care coordination, and directly observed therapy.

In addition, Health Department staff identify and address obstacles to care and unmet social service needs among people with TB and their families. This includes social workers who facilitate referrals to housing, food, health insurance, drug and alcohol treatment, and other resources.

Community Outreach, Education, and Partnerships

In 2025, the Health Department educated nearly 3,000 community members and collaborated with 187 partner organizations during 36 community health events. ​ Additionally, the Health Department conducted nine TB educational talks with community partners and 21 Grand Rounds presentations with external stakeholders.

The Health Department also co-chairs the Coalition for a TB-Free NYC, a group of over 50 stakeholders working to eliminate TB through community engagement, public-private partnerships, innovation, and research. ​ The Coalition has developed educational materials, debunked TB myths, and created resources for patients with low health literacy.

World TB Day Events

On March 27, 2026, the Health Department will co-host a conference in honor of World TB Day, with local, national, and global updates on TB. The theme of the conference is "Evolving TB Care: Harnessing Modern Tools For a Brighter Future." The conference will be jointly hosted by the Health Department, Rutgers Health - Global Tuberculosis Institute, and the Center for Continuing & Outreach Education at Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences. The conference will kick off with an advocacy hour featuring Treatment Action Group and cast members from Moulin Rouge! The Musical. The presentation will explore the intersection of art and advocacy, pairing musical numbers with powerful storytelling about the global fight to end TB.

During the month of March, the Health Department commemorated World TB Day through several community outreach events in Sunset Park, Central Brooklyn, and in East and Central Harlem. On April 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Health Department is co-hosting a World TB Day Health fair with community partners in Jackson Heights at the Apicha Community Health Center. The health fair will offer no-cost testing for TB and HIV, health screenings, referrals to care and educational resources will also be available. The Health Department does not ask about immigration status and health insurance is not needed. For more information, email [email protected] or call 311 and ask about the World TB Day Testing Event.

For more information about TB services, community events, or educational materials, visit NYC Health: Tuberculosis or call 311.

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