Over one-third of the world's population now has the TB bacterium in their bodies and new infections are occurring at a rate of one per second. 15 million people had active TB and there were 9 million new cases and up to 3 million deaths, mostly in 3ed world countries.

While most of the cases are occurring in developing countries (95%), the decline in TB in industrial countries stopped in the 1980s and are beginning to rise. For now the belief is that advanced medical support available will continue to control it in the 1st world, while the 3ed world could see an increase in infections and death.

People with weakened immune systems are more likely to get TB disease. Babies, preschool children and the elderly have weaker immune systems than healthy adults. People with HIV have very weak immune systems. The following conditions also weaken the immune system:

• organ transplants
• silicosis
• abuse of alcohol or drugs
• end stage kidney disease
• leukemia or Hodgkin's disease
• cancer of the head or neck
• diabetes
• cancer chemotherapy

Worldwide the major cause of the spread is poverty, poor sanitation, and poor medical care. In the United States it is the poor, immigrants, drug users, and HIV sufferers who are at greatest risk.

An increased risk of mortality from TB exists at the extremes of age.

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