Tuberculous infection was first introduced to the majority of the Inuit (Eskimos) in the first half of this century. In the 1950s tuberculosis became a grave problem with the mortality rate approaching 1% per annum and the incident rate almost 3%. The annual risk of infection has been estimated at 25% per annum. These are probably the highest rates recorded anywhere in the world in the 20th century. Some 20-30 years ago, an intensive case-finding programme as well as a treatment programme began in all three jurisdictions where the Inuit live (northern Canada, Alaska and Greenland). The preventive measures differed; Alaska relying mainly on chemoprophylaxis and Greenland on BCG vaccination, while Canada adopted both measures. Over the last 20 years, the rates fell rapidly with the mortality rate approaching zero, and the morbidity (incidence) rate falling (Canadian Inuit) by the record 14% per annum. The high rates in the Inuit were, in part, an expression of the lack of 'natural' resistance acquired by other races through the exposure to tubercle bacilli for many generations. Over-crowding in igloos and frequent starvation among those Inuit who relied on cariboo meat, undoubtedly contributed a great deal to the gravity of the problem. The rapid decline of the rates is without doubt primarily caused by the intensive tuberculosis programme and the compliance of the Inuit with the demands of this programme; better housing and in some cases, improved nutrition doubtlessly also played a part.
结核感染在本世纪上半叶首次传入大多数因纽特人（爱斯基摩人）群体。在20世纪50年代，结核病成为一个严重问题，死亡率接近每年1%，发病率几乎为3%。据估计，每年的感染风险为25%。这些可能是20世纪世界上任何地方记录到的最高发病率。大约20 - 30年前，在因纽特人居住的所有三个地区（加拿大北部、阿拉斯加和格陵兰）都启动了强化病例发现计划以及治疗计划。预防措施各不相同；阿拉斯加主要依靠化学预防，格陵兰依靠卡介苗接种，而加拿大则采用了这两种措施。在过去20年里，发病率迅速下降，死亡率接近零，发病率（加拿大因纽特人）以创纪录的每年14%的速度下降。因纽特人发病率高，部分原因是其他种族通过多代接触结核杆菌获得了“天然”抵抗力，而因纽特人缺乏这种抵抗力。冰屋内过度拥挤，以及那些依赖驯鹿肉的因纽特人经常挨饿，无疑对问题的严重性起了很大作用。发病率的迅速下降无疑主要是由于强化结核病计划以及因纽特人对该计划要求的遵守；更好的住房条件，在某些情况下，营养改善无疑也起到了一定作用。
