Tuberculosis: The Social Disease

2026 Gay Lecture by John Green

John Green discussed the social and political structures that allow tuberculosis to continue killing over a million people each year even though the disease has been curable since the 1950s. What does it mean to live in such a world, where we have the power to alleviate suffering but choose not? And how might we choose a different world? Green also discussed his journey from writing young adult novels to writing about tuberculosis, and the moral imperatives he sees in creating better and more inclusive systems to make quality healthcare available to all people.

As we look toward new models of global health care delivery and resource distribution, Green hopes that reflecting on tuberculosis can be a window into understanding both healthcare inequity and a better shared future for our species.

John Green.

John Green (Photo by Marina Waters)
About the Lecturer

John Green is the award-winning, #1 bestselling author of books including Looking for Alaska, The Fault in Our Stars, Turtles All the Way Down, The Anthropocene Reviewed, and Everything is Tuberculosis. With his brother, Hank, John has co-created many online video projects, including Vlogbrothers and the educational channel Crash Course. John serves on the board of trustees for the global health non­profit Partners In Health and spoke at the United Nations High-Level Meeting on the Fight to End Tuberculosis. John lives with his family in Indianapolis. You can visit him online at johngreenbooks.com or join the TB Fighters working to end tuberculosis at tbfighters.org.

Thursday, November 5, 2026

Tosteson Medical Education Center, Harvard Medical School, 260 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115

  • Reception at 4-5 PM ET in TMEC, 2nd Floor Atrium
  • Lecture at 5-6 PM ET in TMEC, Carl W. Walter Amphitheater

Support provided by the Oswald DeN. Cammann Fund at Harvard University.

View Photos on Flickr

John Green presenting virtually in the TMEC Amphitheater.
MBE students with lecturer Martha Montello at the reception.
Associate director Ed Hundert and lecturer Martha Montello at the reception.
Attendees at the reception, discussing John Green's book.
Center for Bioethics director Becca Brendel introducing John Green.
Fellowship alums Lila Kagedan and Marie Nicolini in the audience.
Lecturer David Sontag and head of GHSM Vikram Patel in the audience.
Audience members clapping in the TMEC Amphitheater.
Q&A session with the audience.
Attendees excitedly discussing the book and lecture.
Harvard faculty and MBE students at dinner.