The Plague Cycle
Infectious disease has played a role in civilization, globalization and prosperity for 4,000 years. Join author Charles Kenny of the Center for Global Development and moderator Elliott Cheu of the University Arizona's College of Science as they discuss the cyclical nature of infectious diseases and the far-reaching effects from climate change, population fluctuations and global trade.
| Where: | Science Stage (Seats 1000) |
| When: | Sun, Mar 7, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
 Watch broadcast |
| Genre: | Science / Medicine / Technology |
| Moderator: | Elliott Cheu |
Panelist
Charles KennyCharles Kenny works as the director of technology and development at the Center for Global Development. His current work focuses on gender and development, the role of technology in development, governance and anti-corruption and the post-2015 development agenda....
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Book:
The Plague Cycle
The Unending War Between Humanity and Infectious Disease
Charles Kenny
Science / Medicine / Technology
Scribner
January 2021
ISBN 9781982165338
Cloth, 320 pages
$28.00, INSTORE
Buy nowBooklist (12/15/2020):
*Starred Review* Our earliest historical reaction to a surge of a new, severe infection was to try fleeing from it.
From ancient times to now, outbreaks of contagious diseases promoted xenophobia and not infrequently a rise in authoritarianism. In his fact-filled and alarming overview of major infectious diseases past and present, economist Kenny discusses sources and vectors of epidemics, the toll of suffering and death, progress in controlling communicable diseases, and persistent problems.
The rise of infections accompanied the expansion of agriculture and increased population density. Famine, war, travel, and trade have nurtured epidemics. Improved sanitation, better living conditions and nutrition, antibiotics, rehydration therapy, and vaccines have played major roles in combating infectious diseases.
Yet a lack of preparation and an often sluggish response by governments across the globe to novel viruses, an overuse of antibiotics resulting in resistance, anti-vaccination movements, and poverty remain major impediments to conquering or at least limiting contagious diseases. Smallpox, malaria, bubonic plague, polio, measles, AIDS, yellow fever, Ebola, and COVID-19 are featured. More/less
