Poverty and the Peoples Plague
Tuberculosis, also known as the people’s plague, has existed for over a millennia. However, it was in the 19th century and well into the 20th century tuberculosis became increasingly difficult to combat due to its correlation with poverty, particularly with immigrant communities in America and Britain’s largest cities. As immigrants from Europe began to flock to the United States in the middle of the 19th century, they congregated in close apartment complexes called tenements. These tenements, in places like Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. A common building in neighborhoods like the 5 Points in New York or the North End in Boston was one with a dumb-bell opening which served as the sole source of light and air for over 30 people. These conditions, with poor ventilation and crowded housing were a perfect environment for tuberculosis. TB would spread throughout communities prompting cities to begin health inspections as a mechanism to try and reduce the levels of TB in cities. Even with these measures, TB still remained inside of cities contributing to its resilience as a disease. After improvements in public health saw a decrease in TB cases, the late 20th and early 21st century saw an increase in the amount of fatalities from TB. A primary reason for this is the emergence of HIV/AIDS in the human population. With weakened immune systems individuals are far more likely to fall victim to TB and lack the ability to properly fight it, resulting in. death. This has been a particular problem in Africa where the prevalence of AIDS is so high. Another emerging issue is the increase in drug resistant forms of TB due to the overuse of antibiotics.