How scientists saved humanity from the deadliest infectious diseases—and what we can do to prepare ourselves for future epidemics. After the unprecedented events of the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be hard to imagine a time not so long ago when deadly diseases were a routine part of life. It is harder still to fathom that the best medical thinking at that time blamed these diseases on noxious miasmas, bodily humors, and divine dyspepsia. This all began to change on a day in April 1676, when a little-known Dutch merchant described bacteria for the first time. Beginning on that day in Delft and ending on the day in 1978 when the smallpox virus claimed its last known victim, Ending Epidemics explains how we came to understand and prevent many of our worst infectious diseases—and double average life expectancy. Ending Epidemics tells the story behind “the mortality revolution,” the dramatic transformation not just in our longevity, but in the character of childhood, family life, and human society. Richard Conniff recounts the moments of inspiration and innovation, decades of dogged persistence, and, of course, periods of terrible suffering that stir individuals, institutions, and governments to act in the name of public health. Stars of medical science feature in this drama, but lesser-known figures also play a critical role. And while the history of germ theory is central to this story, Ending Epidemics also describes the importance of everything from sanitation improvements and the discovery of antibiotics to the development of the microscope and the syringe—technologies we now take for granted.

Outlines recommendations for preventing the next global pandemic, drawing on the examples of epidemics ranging from smallpox and AIDS to SARS and Ebola to outline specific measures for appropriate spending, communication, and innovation. --Publisher.

An outbreak of a new, deadly, highly contagious virus was inevitable. An explosive global pandemic was not inevitable. There is hope. It’s the dystopian nightmare pandemic experts have warned about. But it’s happening right now. Covid-19 has catapulted us into a science fiction scenario – now our lived reality across the globe. Seemingly overnight, literally billions of people around the globe have had their lives upended by fear, uncertainty, bankruptcy, illness or death. At home we ask: when can I hug grandma again? Will the job I've been preparing for even exist when covid-19 has passed? Will the business I built with sweat ever re-open? When can we safely travel abroad – or even to some parts of our own country? Will everyday life ever go back to normal? When will we have a vaccine? Experts ask not whether suicides will increase, children will die from disrupted immunization programs, people will starve from broken food systems, or families will be pushed into poverty – but how many will suffer these and other consequences the pandemic. Boiled up from the blood of a bat in rural China, the novel coronavirus has scourged every continent except Antarctica, and every major city – from Sydney to Stockholm, new York to Nairobi, Moscow to Miami, and brasilia to Bangkok. By the time the pandemic has passed, covid-19 will have killed hundreds of thousands of people, sickened millions of people, upended the lives of tens of millions, and cost the global economy trillions of dollars. In the end of epidemics, leading public health authority Dr Jonathan br>D quick tells the stories of the heroes, past and present, who have succeeded in their fights to stop the spread of illness and death. He explains the science and the politics of Combatting epidemics. And he provides a detailed seven-part plan showing exactly how world leaders, health professionals, the business community, media, and ordinary citizens can work together to prevent epidemics, saving millions of lives.

The mastery of certain skills can only help students succeed in all areas of life, no matter what they do or where they do it. The toll that epidemics take, in terms of human life and economic stability, is monumental. The consequences when disease spreads are frequently as catastrophic as those wrought by wars and natural disasters. By dissecting the nature of epidemics and highlighting rampant diseases past and present, this book familiarizes readers with the dangers inherent in this looming health crisis. Discussion of personal steps students can take to help stem disease and what the future may hold are also included.

The 2020 outbreak of coronavirus has terrified the world - and revealed how unprepared we are for the next outbreak of an infectious disease. Somewhere in nature, a killer virus is boiling up in the bloodstream of a bird, bat, monkey, or pig, preparing to jump to a human being. This not-yet-detected germ has the potential to wipe out millions of lives over a matter of weeks or months. That risk makes the threat posed by ISIS, a ground war, a massive climate event, or even the dropping of a nuclear bomb on a major city pale in comparison. In The End of Epidemics, Duke Global Health Institute faculty member and past Chair of the Global Health Council Dr. Jonathan D. Quick examines the eradication of smallpox and devastating effects of influenza, AIDS, SARS, Ebola, and other viral diseases . Analysing local and global efforts to contain these diseases and citing firsthand accounts of failure and success, Dr. Quick proposes a new set of actions which he has coined "The Power of Seven," to end epidemics before they can begin. These actions include- - Spending prudently to prevent disease before an epidemic strikes, rather than spending too little, too late - Ensuring prompt, open, and accurate communication between nations and aid agencies, instead of secrecy and territorial disputes - Fighting disease and preventing panic with innovation and good science Practical and urgent, The End of Epidemics is crucial reading for citizens, health professionals, and policymakers alike. 'Pragmatic, insightful and research-rich, this is a key volume for the policymaker's shelf.' -Nature 'Dr. Quick's urgent message makes one hope that this book will reach a huge audience and that its exhortations will be acted on everywhere.' -The Wall Street Journal 'In The End of Epidemics, Quick and co-author Bronwyn Fryer spell out the seven biggest things we need to stop those outbreaks becoming epidemics. It is an impressive wish list ... We could certainly use some of the advocacy for public health spending Quick calls for and - soon.' -Debora MacKenzie, New Scientist

Kissinger Center for Global Affairs, Johns Hopkins University Press is pleased to donate funds to the Maryland Food Bank, in support of the university's food distribution efforts in East Baltimore during this period of food insecurity due to COVID-19 pandemic hardships.