This Podcast Will Kill You Special Episode: John Green & Everything Is Tuberculosis
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Apr 22, 2025 
Join John Green, the award-winning author and science communicator, as he delves into his latest work, 'Everything Is Tuberculosis'. He discusses the alarming resurgence of tuberculosis and its stigma today. Explore how this historical disease has shaped society and impacted healthcare disparities worldwide. John also reveals surprising connections, like the cowboy hat's origins linked to TB, while addressing the socio-economic barriers to treatment compliance. It's a stark yet fascinating conversation about a disease that's far from gone.
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John Meets Henry
- John Green met Henry, a young tuberculosis patient, in Sierra Leone which sparked his interest in tuberculosis research.
- Henry, physically emaciated and with drug-resistant TB, personalized the disease for Green and inspired his book.
Tuberculosis and Human Choice
- The biggest driver of TB deaths is human choice, reflecting global inequities in resource distribution.
- TB drugs are often unavailable where TB is most prevalent, emphasizing disparities in healthcare access.
Disease's Hidden Historical Role
- History often underestimates infectious diseases' role because humans prefer narratives where they control events.
- Recognizing diseases' influence challenges our sense of control and discomfort with our vulnerability to microorganisms.