The fight against tuberculosis has been slow and imperfect. While the disease no longer claims one in seven lives in the US, it remains deadly worldwide. In 2023, over 1.2 million people died from TB, likely making it the deadliest infection globally.
TB kills more than 1 million people annually. However, this number can be reduced with proper care. John Green, author of “Everything Is Tuberculosis,” warns that the current funding cuts will increase TB deaths.
As the US is the largest funder of TB treatment, these spending cuts have severely impacted medical care for patients. Delays in treatment worsen outcomes and make antibiotics less effective against the bacteria. The author emphasizes that allowing TB to spread unchecked poses a threat to humanity.
Source: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/404861/john-green-tuberculosis-trump-aid-cuts