Douglas M. Stark

For centuries, tuberculosis has both defined and devastated humanity. Once seen as the disease of poets and dreamers, it has now become a symbol of poverty and inequality. Despite being both preventable and treatable, tuberculosis continues to claim over a million lives each year, disproportionately affecting the world's most vulnerable populations. In Forever Contagious: The Story of Tuberculosis and Its Unbroken Chain, author and healthcare advocate Douglas M.
Stark recounts his life-changing experience with Nomsa, a young tuberculosis patient from Sierra Leone. Her story reshaped Stark's perspective on the global battle against the disease and fuelled his lifelong mission to fight for better access to treatment, heightened awareness, and a more just healthcare system. Through a blend of personal narratives and a deep dive into the scientific and historical roots of tuberculosis, Forever Contagious explores how societal choices continue to fuel the disease's persistence.
With a powerful call for action, this book highlights the critical need for global unity and a reassessment of the systems that allow tuberculosis to remain one of the deadliest yet most preventable diseases in the world.