Pringle, Dennis G.
(2009)
The resurgence of tuberculosis in the Republic of Ireland: Perceptions and reality.
Social Science & Medicine, 68.
pp. 620-624.
ISSN 0277-9536
Abstract
Tuberculosis remained a very significant cause of death in Ireland until the mid-20th century and still
occupies a prominent position in the folk memory. As I show with reference to recent Irish media
coverage, the global resurgence of tuberculosis is therefore viewed with concern in Ireland. Using data
collated by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre between 1998 and 2005 however, I show that the
recent increase in tuberculosis incidence in Ireland is less than is popularly perceived. This increase is
largely associated with economic immigrants attracted to Ireland by the ‘Celtic Tiger’ economic boom,
but there is little evidence to suggest that this has had a negative impact on the Irish-born population.
Drug resistance is still a small but growing problem. Whilst vigilance is required, it is argued that the
recent increase does not at present indicate a likely return to the situation in the mid-20th century.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Keywords: |
Ireland;
Tuberculosis;
Migrants;
Media;
Drug resistance;
Immigration; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Social Sciences > Geography |
| Item ID: |
13819 |
| Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.11.028 |
| Depositing User: |
Dennis Pringle
|
| Date Deposited: |
13 Jan 2021 11:21 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
Social Science & Medicine |
| Publisher: |
Elsevier |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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