Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by bacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Although tuberculosis can affect other parts of the body, it primarily attacks the lungs (pulmonary) (Dye et al. 1999). What makes tuberculosis socially dangerous is that its pulmonary form is infectious and can spread through contact with infectious droplets. The most common mechanism of spread of tuberculosis is coughing. However, the spread of infection requires prolonged contact with a patient and it is mainly members of the same household who are at risk. The problem of tuberculosis has persisted for years and continues to be a major public health problem in England, particularly in Tower Hamlets (Department of Health, 2010). The most reported cases of tuberculosis in the UK are in London and the more deprived areas around it. The increase in TB cases in the Tower Hamlets area has been seen mainly among non-UK born residents, particularly those from areas with a high incidence of TB such as sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent and Eastern Europe). Another high prevalence group is the socially disadvantaged and includes the homeless, drug users and prisoners (NHS, 2012). There are a number of factors in Tower Hamlets which contribute to a high prevalence of tuberculosis. These include high levels of deprivation, social exclusion, poor housing, overcrowded living conditions and poor nutrition. Homelessness and lifestyle factors, such as substance abuse, are also important risk factors for tuberculosis (Benerjee, 2011). This essay will identify the rationale for the urban health problem, discuss and analyze the major causes within these ethnic groups, provide evidence of its adverse effects and the implications and consequences of the urban health problem as well as analyze and o... ... middle of document ......r Hamlets which make the area conducive to the incidence of tuberculosis. The region has a lower life expectancy than the national average. There is a visible inequality in life expectancy between the most and least disadvantaged groups in society. The region has a large youth base and the population is growing. It has great ethnic diversity. A high percentage of the population lives on low income and unemployment is also high. Tower Hamlets also has a large number of unpaid carers as a place to live, a large number of families living in social housing and there is overcrowding. There is also a high perception of antisocial behavior (NHS, 2013). It is not difficult to judge from these observations made by the NHS why the area is conducive to the spread of tuberculosis. Low income levels, public housing and overcrowding certainly contribute to the spread and quality of TB treatment..