Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Katherine MacPhail
Published on 2024-03-16 11:00:25
John Green, a well-known novelist and YouTube personality, has made a significant impact on the health care world by advocating for improved access to tuberculosis (TB) treatment. Last year, Green and his loyal fan base, known as “Nerdfighters,” successfully pressured corporations to reduce prices for TB treatment. This success led to a partnership with USAID and the Philippines to establish a public-private funding initiative to fight TB.
As part of this partnership, Green and his family are contributing up to $4 million of the $57 million in new funding to test and treat TB in the Philippines. The ultimate goal of this collaboration is to accelerate efforts to combat TB, a disease that claims 1.5 million lives globally each year. Green’s advocacy for TB awareness and access to care earned him and his brother, Hank, a spot on the 2024 STATUS List for their impactful campaigns.
In a recent interview with STAT, Green shared his dream of seeing a world where TB is no longer a public health threat. He believes that with the right strategies and partnerships in place, this dream can become a reality. By focusing on comprehensive care, including early detection and treatment, Green hopes to reduce the burden of TB globally. He emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships like the one with USAID and the government of the Philippines as a roadmap for achieving this goal.
Green also highlighted the significance of advocating for lower prices of TB diagnostics and therapeutics. Through campaigns targeting companies like Cepheid and Johnson & Johnson, Green was able to secure price reductions for important TB treatments. These reductions have a direct impact on the reach of funding partnerships, allowing for more people to access essential testing and treatment for TB.
Reflecting on his early charity work with his brother in 2012, Green explained that their interest in global health issues has been long-standing. The duo has supported various health initiatives, including projects to reduce maternal and child mortality in Sierra Leone. Green’s focus on TB advocacy stems from his belief that global health inequities are a form of social injustice, and he sees TB as a glaring example of this injustice due to its preventable and curable nature.
Overall, Green’s dedication to advocating for improved TB care and access to treatment demonstrates his commitment to addressing global health challenges. With a combination of advocacy, partnerships, and awareness-raising efforts, Green continues to make a positive impact in the fight against TB and other global health issues.
