“TB is both a form and expression of injustice.”
“Just in the last two centuries, tuberculosis caused over a billion human deaths. One estimate…maintains that TB has killed around one in seven people who’ve ever lived. Covid-19 displaced tuberculosis as the world’s deadliest infectious disease from 2020 through 2022, but in 2023, TB regained the status it has held for most of what we know of human history. Killing 1,250,000 people, TB once again became our deadliest infection.” (p. 84)
In this rather short book, Green manages to survey the effects of TB throughout history, and its current ravages throughout the world. His perspective is broad, including medical information, social history, and cultural factors about the disease. He provides insights by telling several personal stories about historic figures, members of his family, and a young TB patient named Henry whom he met in Africa as he collected information for the book.
Here is the conclusion of the book: “We cannot address TB only with vaccines and medications. We cannot address it only with comprehensive STP [search, treat, prevent] programs. We must also address the root cause of tuberculosis, which is injustice. In a world where everyone can eat, and access healthcare, and be treated humanely, tuberculosis has no chance. Ultimately, we are the cause. We must also be the cure.” (p. 183)
From the World Health Organization website:
”In 2024, an estimated 10.7 million people fell ill with TB worldwide, including 5.8 million men, 3.7 million women and 1.2 million children and young adolescents. TB is present in all countries and age groups. TB is curable and preventable” (Source: 10 facts on tuberculosis, 13 November 2025)
10 comments:
This sounds fascinating. I enjoy reading about diseases (maybe that's why I loved teaching microbiology) and the TB bacteria is a really interesting species. Thanks for sharing Mae. I think I need to add this to my to read list. hugs-Erika
So many diseases, I can not imagine not having the vaccines for TB or any other disease. Take care, have a wonderful day!
Wow! These numbers are incredible. I knew they were high but had no idea they are still this high. I do like the conclusion of the book. Great post, Mae!
That’s rather shocking. The TB vaccine has been around for 100 years.
I've heard a lot about this book. As one with lung issues (a great grandmother who died from consumption) the topic has always interested me. Thanks for an excellent overview.
I didn´t know about this. Oh, no.... such high numbers!
We lived and worked in Cambodia for 8 years (2000-2008), during which time we had health checks when back in the UK each year. Even though my husband (French) and I (USA) had received TB vacs as youth, we were getting test results that showed presence of TB, and had to be re-vaccinated (being of that fortunate middle class with access to such). One of the sectors the NGO we worked for was involved with was health, and our awareness was raised re all things TB, so what you write resonates. Thank you for your post.
Such a thought provoking piece Mae. I was aware of TB at a very early age when my Dad who had emphysema, that he died from, was in hospital in the chest clinic where there were also TB patients. Thankfully there has been a lot of progress since then with treatment. However, equality in world health is still a huge issue.
I thought this book was really well done, accessible, and super interesting.
I was not expecting to find so much wisdom in a book about tuberculosis. I can't really understand why we cannot act in ways that are for the good of all.
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