Hawaii TB Program selected for new CDC research initiative

The Hawaii State Department of Health Tuberculosis Control Program has been awarded a ten-year contract by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to participate in the new TB Epidemiologic Studies Consortium. Hawaii was one of only 22 sites selected for the research program. Other partners include academic institutions and state and county health departments from the U.S. and Canada.

The CDC contract amounts to $1.2 million over ten years for Hawaii’s TB Program and will increase based on the research projects conducted locally.

As a consortium member, Hawaii will be able to participate in epidemiologic, behavioral, economic, laboratory, and operational research on tuberculosis. Current research priorities for the consortium include the following: TB among foreign-born persons, latent TB infection, contact investigation, and new TB diagnostic tools. One such diagnostic tool is the new Quaniferon test, a likely alternative to traditional TB skin tests.

Dr. Jessie Wing, Chief of the Hawaii Tuberculosis Control Program, is principle investigator for Hawaii. In addition, a new nurse epidemiologist will be sought by the State to coordinate all subsequent studies conducted locally.

According to Dr. Wing, "We are very fortunate to be part of this new consortium where we will be able to participate in cutting edge research. We believe that most epidemiologic research funded by the CDC will be channeled through the consortium."

For further information, please contact the Tuberculosis Control Program at 832-5731.

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