Choose A Communicable Disease From The N

1communicable Diseasechoose A Communicable Disease From The New York

Choose a communicable disease from the New York State Department of Health and discuss the public health tools such as barrier protections, immunizations, screening and case finding, treatment, contact treatment, quarantine, and isolation that can be used to prevent the further spread of the disease. Evaluate whether it is possible to eradicate this disease and explain why or why not. Identify which organizations are responsible for preventing the spread of this disease in your community and briefly describe how these stakeholders utilize the public health tools mentioned to control the disease effectively.

Paper For Above instruction

For this analysis, I have selected tuberculosis (TB), a communicable disease of significant public health concern in New York State. TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and remains a critical focus due to its capacity for airborne transmission, high morbidity, and potential for drug resistance. Implementing a comprehensive public health strategy is essential to prevent its spread, involving tools like immunization, screening, treatment, contact tracing, quarantine, and isolation.

Public Health Tools Utilized in TB Prevention and Control

Immunization, specifically the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, plays a limited role in the United States, including New York, because it is primarily used elsewhere and offers variable protection against pulmonary TB. However, other tools are central to TB control. Screening and case finding involve targeted testing of high-risk populations, such as homeless individuals, immigrants, and those with HIV/AIDS, to identify latent and active TB infections early (CDC, 2021). Early detection allows for prompt treatment, which prevents progression to active disease and reduces transmission.

Treatment protocols, primarily with multi-drug regimens such as Isoniazid and Rifampin, are critical for curing active TB cases and preventing drug resistance. Ensuring adherence to therapy through directly observed therapy (DOT) improves patient compliance and treatment success (World Health Organization, 2022). Contact treatment involves identifying and testing individuals exposed to TB cases, providing prophylactic therapy where necessary.

Quarantine and isolation policies are vital for patients with active TB, especially respiratory cases that pose a transmission risk. Hospitals and public health departments enforce isolation precautions to prevent spread within healthcare facilities and the community.

Eradication Feasibility

While measles and smallpox have been eradicated through targeted vaccination campaigns, eradicating TB remains a formidable challenge because of its complex nature. TB's existence in latent and active forms, coupled with issues like multidrug-resistant strains and socio-economic barriers, complicate eradication efforts. The social determinants influencing TB transmission, such as poverty, homelessness, and immigration status, also hinder complete eradication (United Nations, 2019). Moreover, the bacterium’s ability to persist silently in hosts without symptoms makes tracking and eliminating all cases extremely difficult. Therefore, full eradication of TB in the foreseeable future is unlikely, but substantial reduction in incidence is achievable with sustained public health efforts.

Responsible Organizations and Stakeholders

In New York, several organizations collaborate to control TB. The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) provides overarching leadership, develops policies, and funds local health departments. Local health departments are responsible for implementing screening, contact tracing, vaccination where applicable, and treatment programs (NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2020). Hospitals and clinics serve as frontline providers, diagnosing and treating TB cases and ensuring follow-up. Community organizations aid in outreach efforts, especially among vulnerable populations. These stakeholders employ the public health tools—screening, treatment, contact tracing, quarantine, and isolation—to mitigate TB transmission effectively.

Conclusion

Controlling TB in New York requires a multifaceted approach involving governmental agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations. While eradication may be impractical due to biological and social challenges, sustained application of public health measures can significantly reduce its prevalence and prevent outbreaks, safeguarding community health.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Tuberculosis (TB). https://www.cdc.gov/tb/default.htm
• World Health Organization. (2022). Global Tuberculosis Report 2022. https://www.who.int/teams/global-tuberculosis-programme/reports
• United Nations. (2019). Global tuberculosis report — UNICEF. https://www.unicef.org/media/92586/file/UNICEF-Global-TB-Report.pdf
• New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. (2020). Tuberculosis Control Program Annual Report. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/about/tb-statistics.page
• Silva, D. R., & Tørås, J. K. (2018). Public health strategies for TB control. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 71, 45-50.
• Harries, A. D., et al. (2017). Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: a threat to global TB control. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 17(12), e361-e372.
• Simonsen, L., et al. (2020). Social determinants of tuberculosis in urban settings. Public Health Reports, 135(3), 381-389.
• Yen, A. M., et al. (2019). Barriers to TB eradication: Socioeconomic factors. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 68(3), 518-524.
• Macaraig, M. M., et al. (2021). Effectiveness of contact investigations for TB control. American Journal of Public Health, 111(4), 640-648.
• Golden, M. P., & Vikram, H. R. (2018). Extrapulmonary tuberculosis: an overview. American Family Physician, 98(11), 673-680.