First published 2017
Infectious diseases possess a unique terror that sets them apart from natural disasters or individual illnesses. They can shut down global trade, halt transportation networks, and overwhelm both public and private resources on a planetary scale. Epidemiologist Michael Osterholm draws from medical science, case studies, and policy research to examine how modern infrastructure that moves people, animals, and materials efficiently has made pandemics nearly inevitable. Recent outbreaks of COVID-19, Ebola, MERS, and Zika reveal our inadequate preparation for such crises. Osterholm explores a future where antibiotics lose their effectiveness, bioterror becomes certain, and influenza or coronavirus pandemics loom larger. The book combines scientific drama with medical discovery chronicles while serving as both reality check and action plan. Only by grasping these challenges can we prevent disaster from becoming unavoidable.
Genres: science, medical, non-fiction, health, academic, history-of-science
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: investigative-journalism
353 pages · Kindle Edition · Little, Brown Spark
Content warnings: medical-trauma