Early diagnosis cuts Singapore TB (tuberculosis) rates:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
The key component of Singapore's successful TB elimination programme is early diagnosis, the results of which continue to be seen after 10 years of declining incidence. According to Singapore's health ministry, the number of cases and new incidence has declined steadily over the past decade. Between 1997 and 2006, the number of cases dropped form 1,712 to 1,256, and the rate per 100,000 of population in 2006 was 34.8, down from 54.9 in 1997 and 37 in 2005. The Singapore Tuberculosis Elimination programme (STEP) was set up in 1997 - this and concerted efforts by the medical community are said to be primarily responsible for the decline of the air-borne disease.