What Risk Does Tuberculosis (TB) Pose to Homeless NYC Students?

 

Risk of Tuberculosis (TB) Among Homeless NYC Students

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Most Americans are at low risk of tuberculosis infection. To the fortunate members of our society, tuberculosis can seem like the sort of thing that plagued our ancestors, but is now all but nonexistent. However, among homeless populations across our country, it is a real and persistent threat. This blog post will explore how prevalent TB is among homeless NYC students as well as the risks it poses to their health and education. 

How Common Is TB Among Homeless NYC Students? 

Last year, there were 10,347 tuberculosis cases in the United States. [1] New York City accounted for 839 of the state’s 1,083 TB cases, a 24 percent increase from 2023. [2] Four percent of those infected - or approximately 34 individuals - were seventeen or younger. [Ibid] While many factors contributed to these alarming stats, a substantial number of those infected were homeless. Indeed, those without safe, reliable housing are ten times more likely to contract tuberculosis than their stably housed peers. [3] It is so prevalent that those who work with the homeless must receive regular testing, both for their charges’ safety and their own. 

Even if the young student themselves isn’t infected, a close family member or someone they share communal living space with may be. This proximity can be incredibly stressful and have negative effects on physical, mental and emotional health. 

Why Are Homeless NYC Students Disproportionately Affected By TB? 

According to data compiled by the CDC, TB germs tend to spread more rapidly through homeless populations due to the following factors: 

  • Lack of access to adequate and timely health care
  • The conditions of shelters, namely: 
    • People living in close proximity
    • Poor air flow
    • Shared airspaces, and 
    • Overcrowding
  • The movement of people between shelters 
  • Poor nutrition 
  • Weakened immune systems, and  
  • Substance use

What Effect Does Tuberculosis Have On Education? 

Tuberculosis has profound, cascading effects on the lives of children and adolescents. It can impair all aspects of their development, including, but not limited to: 

  • Greater risk for mental illness
  • Prolonged social isolation and/or stigma 
  • Loss of relationships with family, friends and peers
  • Chronic absenteeism 
  • Inability to focus
  • Fatigue 
  • Behavioral challenges, and 
  • Poor grades [4] 

All of these impairments place the affected student at increased risk of dropping out of school or failing to meet the graduation requirements, thereby diminishing their future prospects and ability to escape homelessness. 

How Do You Fight the Spread of Tuberculosis Among the Homeless? 

As with many of the other deleterious effects of homelessness, affordable housing, humane living conditions and readily accessible health care are all key to preventing the spread of this terrible illness. Additionally, contact investigators and other health department personnel can monitor cases, predict trends and inform municipal policy. 

If you or someone you know has already contracted TB, please call:

  • 311 
  • A Chest Center, or 
  • The TB Provider Hotline at 844-713-0559

The NYC Health Department collaborates with local health care providers, community partners and others in order to perform an array of TB services and activities free of charge to all patients, regardless of immigration status, insurance status or ability to pay. 

As with any illness, early detection and intervention tend to produce the best outcomes. 

To counter the disruptive effects of tuberculosis on a child’s education, please reach out to Mentor A Promise and its network of partner organizations. 

Contact Mentor A Promise Today 

Our organization recognizes the immense potential within each individual and seeks to provide them with the educational resources and opportunities they need to thrive. To that end, we have built a strong network of family shelters, educational institutions and community organizations to support homeless children, youths and their families. Click these links to learn more about what we offer or to get involved. Together, we can break the cycle of homelessness. 

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