FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

PRESS RELEASE

October 1, 2024

Lifesaving Bill to Provide Tuberculosis Screening for Californians Signed Into Law

Sacramento, CA—In a bold move to provide critical interventions for the estimated 2 million Californians infected with tuberculosis (TB), on Sunday, September 29^th, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2132 by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley) into law. The bill requires an adult patient receiving primary care services to be offered a TB screening test if risk factors are identified, and if the patient’s health insurance covers it, followed by provision or referral for appropriate follow-up care. The bill was sponsored by the Coalition for a TB Free California (CTFC).

Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, TB was the top infectious disease killer worldwide, claiming more than 1.5 million lives every year. Californians are disproportionately affected by the disease, with about 2,000 Californians diagnosed with active TB disease every year and over 2 million Californians infected with the bacteria but not yet sick.

Of the more than 2 million Californians with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), only 20 percent are aware of their diagnosis and only 12 percent have been treated. While LTBI is treatable and curable, many Californians carry the infection without knowing their diagnosis, which can turn deadly once their infection progresses into active TB disease. For those diagnosed with active TB disease, half are hospitalized and 1 in 6 die within five years of diagnosis. AB 2132 will close this gap by screening Californians for LTBI before it is too late.

“Californians are disproportionately burdened by TB and it does not have to be this way. AB 2132 is a step in the right direction to establish equitable health outcomes for impacted populations, like the AAPI and Latinx community,” said Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley). “Earlier this year, Santa Clara County announced that TB rates were up by nearly 20 percent as a result of widespread community infections. It just takes one test to save someone’s life. I’m proud that AB 2132 will allow nearly 2 million Californians to make informed decisions about their health.”

TB is a health equity issue, as it disproportionately impacts racial and ethnic minority groups, persons living in low socioeconomic census tracts, and those born in or who travel frequently to global regions where TB is endemic, such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Non-US-born Asian, Latinx, and Black populations are 34 to 73 times more likely to have TB compared to US-born Whites. Additionally, those living and working in congregate living settings, such as persons experiencing homelessness, incarcerated persons, and persons in long-term care facilities, are more likely to contract the disease.

“The Coalition for a TB Free California is grateful to Assemblyman Low for his leadership on this lifesaving issue and thanks Governor Newsom for signing this bill into law. With AB 2132, at-risk populations will receive necessary screening for TB that can save lives. TB advocates have worked for decades to increase early detection and treatment, and Assemblymember Evan Low has taken this work to the next level by ensuring TB screening at the primary care level. Now, people getting regular check-ups can be assessed for TB risk and, if indicated, tested for this life-threatening infection,” said Michael Carson, retired Orange County Health Care Agency TB Program Manager and representative of the Coalition for a TB Free California.

“The need for large scale TB screening and testing of at-risk populations has never been greater,” said Jeffrey Caballero, executive director for the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) and CTFC partner. “Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are disproportionately impacted by TB, with infection rates upwards of 40 times higher compared to non-hispanic whites. AB 2132 is vital legislation to address TB in California and will increase access to life-saving testing for the most at-risk communities, an important step toward addressing health disparities. AAPCHO commends Assembly member Evan Low for his leadership in introducing this bill and we thank members of the Legislature and Governor Newsom for passing it into law.” 

“In a diverse state like ours, addressing lung health disparities in TB and advancing equity initiatives is not just a moral imperative, but a public health necessity. We can safeguard the lungs of all our residents and build a healthier future for California by investing in these initiatives and intervening early.” Tanya Payyappilly, MD, MPH, CEO, Breathe California of the Bay Area, Golden Gate, and Central Coast and CTFC member.

AB 2132 builds upon AB 789, also by Assemblymember Low and signed into law in 2022, which requires hepatitis B and C screening to be offered in primary care. AB 2132 will take effect on January 1, 2025.

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