Pandemics and Global Health

Review: 

"Barry Yongerman has done an excellent job of bringing together, in one engaging volume, key information on many of the major contemporary international public health issues, and he has situated each of the major diseases and events in their socioeconomic, historic, and political contexts."

—Professor Susan Foster, Department of International Health, Boston University

Description: 

Pandemics and Global Health is part of the Global Issues series, which is designed to be a first-stop resource for research on the key challenges facing the world today. Each volume contains three sections, beginning with an introduction that clearly defines the issue, followed by detailed case studies of the issue's impact in the United States and several other countries Sr regions. The second section draws together significant U.S. and international primary spurce documents, and the third section gathers useful research tools - such as brief biographies facts and figures, an annotated bibliography, and more. A foreword written by an expert in the field complements each volume. A chronology, glossary, and index provide additional help.

Throughout history, pandemics have rapidly spread across national and continental borders and taken a devastating toll on human life. From the Black Death in Asia andEurope to the smallpox and polio outbreaks that decimated the Americas to concerns over HIV/AIDS and avian flu, epidemics have been a continuous threat to society and the world.

Pandemics and Global Health begins with an introduction that reviews major types of infectious agents and modes of transmission. It then provides a historical overview of infectious diseases and attempts to control epidemics. Thorough case studies from the United States, China, Africa and India detail recent outbreaks in each area and government response, thereby demonstrating the need for transparency, commitment, and adequate financing in the fight against major diseases. Gathering key information on many contemporary international public health issues, this book is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to become more informed on global health concerns.

Target Audience: 

Students of social health and pandemics.