Epic Measures Book Summary - Epic Measures Book explained in key points
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Epic Measures summary

Jeremy N. Smith

One Doctor. Seven Billion Patients.

3.8 (17 ratings)
19 mins

Brief summary

Epic Measures by Jeremy N. Smith explores how the company known as Global Burden of Disease Study counted each and every ailment across all countries and cultures worldwide, and how this data is used to create a healthier future for everyone.

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    Epic Measures
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    Christopher Murray’s remarkable childhood taught him important lessons about how to analyze and treat disease.

    If you were lucky enough to go on a family vacation when you were ten years old, you may have engaged in pleasant leisure activities, like hiking or enjoying the sights and food of another country. Christopher Murray’s family did trips somewhat differently.

    When Christopher was ten years old, his parents took him and his three older siblings on a yearlong sabbatical in Niger. This was no random trip: his father was a cardiologist; his mother, a microbiologist. The family planned to work at a hospital in the Sahara desert.

    The hospital needed all the help it could get. When Christopher’s family arrived, the facility was lacking running water and electricity, not to mention staff.

    Luckily, the family had brought some portable equipment with them, and Chris served as an errand boy and organized supplies. Meanwhile, his older brothers worked as nurses and aides, stitching and dressing wounds.

    The family worked together to fight malaria. After noticing that more people were catching the disease in the hospital than in the villages around it, they started taking blood samples of everyone in the area and studying the health statistics of their patients and visitors to figure out what was going on.

    Their research showed that the malaria outbreak had begun when the hospital started distributing vitamin supplements; tests showed that these supplements increased the iron count in patients’ blood. This led the family to the conclusion that the elevated iron levels were probably attracting parasites that thrive on the mineral, which in turn promoted infection and increased the risk of malaria.

    The results were published in the prestigious medical journal Lancet. This kind of tenacious research is a perfect example of the kind of work that would stay with Christopher as he grew up, pushing him to work hard to help people.

    The Murrays continued to run various mobile clinics throughout Africa and fight disease. These experiences, and the teachings of his father, showed Christopher that one of the most important skills in medicine is careful analysis.

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    What is Epic Measures about?

    Epic Measures (2015) tells the incredible story of how one man, Christopher Murray, came to build the most comprehensive medical study ever assembled. Find out what motivated Murray and his dedicated team of collaborators to build a worldwide map of every disease and illness known to man – and discover how his remarkable work has revolutionized the face of world health.  

    Epic Measures Review

    Epic Measures (2015) is a captivating exploration of an ambitious project that aimed to measure the health of every person on the planet. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • With fascinating stories of the challenges and triumphs encountered along the way, it provides a unique glimpse into the world of global health and data collection.
    • Through meticulous research and interviews, the book offers valuable insights into the impact of disease on society and the efforts to improve healthcare worldwide.
    • By highlighting the passionate individuals who dedicated their lives to this massive undertaking, the book's narrative brings a human element to an otherwise complex subject.

    Best quote from Epic Measures

    What you dont know can kill you.

    —Jeremy N. Smith
    example alt text

    Who should read Epic Measures?

    • Medical students
    • Readers working in the health sector
    • Humanitarians

    About the Author

    Jeremy N. Smith is a freelance writer and journalist. His work has appeared in the Atlantic, Discover and the New York Times. He is also the author of the book Growing a Garden City, which provides insight into how communities can be built through local gardens and farms.

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    Epic Measures FAQs 

    What is the main message of Epic Measures?

    Epic Measures shows how data can revolutionize global health by measuring what matters.

    How long does it take to read Epic Measures?

    The reading time for Epic Measures varies. The Blinkist summary, however, can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Epic Measures a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Epic Measures is worth reading for its eye-opening exploration of global health. It shows the power of data in transforming lives and healthcare.

    Who is the author of Epic Measures?

    Jeremy N. Smith is the author of Epic Measures.

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