03/24/2026
March 24 is World Tuberculosis Day. Tuberculosis has long been one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, shaping the evolution of modern public health.
In the early 20th century, the Framingham Tuberculosis Demonstration, one of the first community-based participatory research (CBPR) efforts, brought together residents, researchers, and institutions to better understand disease transmission, expand prevention, and organize communities around health. This moment reminds us that public health has always been collective work. As TB continues to disproportionately impact marginalized communities globally, World Tuberculosis Day invites us to reflect on the ongoing need for equity-driven prevention, accessible care, and community-centered approaches to health.
Learn more about the region's integral role in researching the disease on the https://hetmw.org/timeline/framingham-is-chosen-as-the-site-for-the-tuberculosis-demonstration
Thanks to our friends at the Framingham History Center and Access Framingham for the informative and engaging content!
Through local history and modern-day research, the MetroWest Health Equity Timeline provides context for the health disparities and inequities we observe today.