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In a poignant encounter at Lakka Government Hospital in Sierra Leone, John Green, the acclaimed author, met a young man named Henry. Initially appearing to be around nine years old, Henry was, in fact, 17 and affected by multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). His small stature was a reflection of a childhood marred by malnourishment and the persistent presence of the disease, which had afflicted him since he was five years old.
Green’s newly released nonfiction work, Everything is Tuberculosis, intertwines Henry’s personal narrative with a broader examination of tuberculosis—a disease that remains one of the deadliest bacterial infections globally. Despite advancements in antibiotics and vaccines, over one million individuals died from TB in 2023. “We know how to live in a world without tuberculosis,” Green asserts, highlighting the choices that perpetuate this ongoing public health crisis.
The book delves into the stigma surrounding TB, a significant focus of Green’s narrative. Historical and contemporary misconceptions have led to the marginalization of those affected by the disease, often leading to societal ostracism. In many cultures, those diagnosed with TB face blame and are viewed as cursed or suffering from a form of divine punishment, reminiscent of perceptions from 18th and 19th century Europe that romanticized the illness as a muse for artists and poets. Such perspectives have persisted, allowing society to rationalize the deaths of those with TB as a form of artistic sacrifice.
Through his interviews and research, Green conveys that people living with TB today find the battle against stigma to be as challenging as the disease itself. By sharing Henry’s story along with others, he emphasizes that the root cause of tuberculosis in the 21st century is not merely bacterial but is intertwined with systemic injustices. He traces the historical racialization of TB and critiques the inequitable distribution of healthcare resources that has left communities in developing countries vulnerable. For instance, Henry’s treatment was obstructed not by the lack of a cure, but by financial barriers imposed by pharmaceutical companies, such as Johnson & Johnson, which set exorbitant prices for life-saving medications.
Ultimately, Green calls for collective responsibility in addressing the TB epidemic, reminding readers that universal access to healthcare and basic necessities would significantly diminish the threat of tuberculosis. “In a world where everyone can eat, and access healthcare, and be treated humanely, tuberculosis has no chance,” Green asserts. “Ultimately, we are the cause; we must also be the cure.”
Discover more about Henry’s story and the broader implications of tuberculosis by purchasing Everything Is Tuberculosis from Bookshop.org.
Source
www.sciencenews.org