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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Eradication summary
Nancy Leys Stepan
Ridding the World of Diseases Forever
16 mins
Brief summary
'Eradication' by Nancy Leys Stepan is a historical account of public health campaigns targeting diseases like smallpox and yellow fever. It highlights the socio-political implications of such campaigns and raises important ethical questions.
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Eradication
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The eradication of disease is now theoretically possible, but it raises many questions.
It would be a good thing if we eradicated all diseases, right? Thanks to scientific advancements, we’re getting closer to being able to do that every day.
The eradication of disease has been a possibility since the nineteenth century, when scientists first realized what causes them. Robert Koch, for instance, discovered in 1882 that tuberculosis was caused by bacteria called tubercle bacillus. Scientists came to understand that tiny organisms like bacteria, viruses and parasites were responsible for disease.
The scientific community also realized that disease-causing organisms were often spread by insects, such as mosquitoes. At the end of the nineteenth century, Ronald Ross and Giovanni Batista Grassi found that malaria was carried by female mosquitoes of the anopheline genus.
Once they uncovered a disease’s origin, scientists were able to work on preventing it by developing new technologies like vaccines. Eradication was suddenly a possibility!
And if scientists were able to eradicate a disease, they should have, right?
After WWII, when scientists undertook eradication campaigns against smallpox and malaria, we learned the answer was more complicated than we thought. Few would argue against the elimination of those diseases, but some questioned the integrity of eradication as a philosophical concept.
Eradication raises a number of questions such as: How do we choose which diseases to eradicate? How do we allocate eradication funding? These questions are biological, political and logistical all at once, so there are plenty of places where mistakes could be made.
Consider malaria. We’ve undertaken huge eradication campaigns against malaria but, according to the World Health Organization, it still affects 250 million people per year. Has this been a waste of resources? Would funds be better spent elsewhere?
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What is Eradication about?
Eradication (2011) is about the health community’s attempts to eradicate certain diseases from the face of the planet. These blinks trace the history of disease eradication, its successes and failures, and the complicated political issues it raises.
Eradication Review
Eradication (2010) by Nancy Leys Stepan is a thought-provoking exploration of disease eradication efforts throughout history. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Immersive storytelling: Stepan's narrative style brings the challenges and triumphs of eradication campaigns to life, making it a fascinating and engaging read.
- Insightful analysis: The book offers a comprehensive examination of the social, political, and cultural factors that shape eradication efforts, providing a deeper understanding of their complexities.
- Relevant today: Despite being published over a decade ago, the book's exploration of vaccine hesitancy, public health infrastructure, and global cooperation remains highly relevant in our current context.
Best quote from Eradication
The word eradication derives from Latin and means to tear out by the roots.
—Nancy Leys Stepan
Who should read Eradication?
- Students of medicine or public health
- Anyone interested in the eradication of disease
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Eradication FAQs
What is the main message of Eradication?
The main message of Eradication is the historical and contemporary significance of global attempts to eradicate diseases.
How long does it take to read Eradication?
The reading time for Eradication varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Eradication a good book? Is it worth reading?
Eradication is worth reading for its insightful exploration of disease eradication efforts, providing a fresh perspective on global health challenges.
Who is the author of Eradication?
The author of Eradication is Nancy Leys Stepan.
What to read after Eradication?
If you're wondering what to read next after Eradication, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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