99% Invisible Everything Is Tuberculosis
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Apr 8, 2025 
John Green, a celebrated YouTuber and best-selling author, dives deep into the ever-relevant topic of tuberculosis. He explores its historical impact, revealing how this once-romanticized disease has shaped architecture, literature, and societal norms. Green highlights the ongoing global challenges in managing TB, especially in the Global South, where the need for effective detection and treatment remains critical. Through poignant stories, including a visit to a TB hospital in Sierra Leone, he captures both the struggles and hopes surrounding this curable yet persistent disease.
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TB's Devastating Toll
- Tuberculosis is the deadliest infectious disease in history, responsible for about one in seven human deaths.
- It's also the current deadliest infectious disease, killing over a million annually despite having a cure.
Romanticizing Consumption
- During the Industrial Revolution, when TB killed about a third of all people, it was romanticized.
- Consumption, as it was called, was seen as an inherited disease that enhanced beauty and genius, a perspective influenced by its prevalence across social classes.
TB's Influence on Design and Demographics
- The Adirondack chair was designed to help TB patients maximize oxygen intake.
- New Mexico achieved statehood partly by attracting people with TB, promising fresh air; by statehood, over 10% of its population had TB.
