Infectious diseases - new and ancient threats to world health.

Journal Article · Tue Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Popul. Bull.

OSTI ID:938147

Olshansky, S J; Carnes, B; Rogers, R G; Smith, L

When smallpox was eradicated from the globe in the late 1970s, many health experts assumed that infectious and parasitic diseases (IPDs) could at long last be conquered. Death rates from infectious and parasitic diseases had declined during the late 19th century and throughout the 20th century thanks to better public health and sanitation as well as medical advances made possible by economic development. During this period, scientists discovered the germ theory of disease, identified the epidemiology and natural history of many infectious diseases, and created a host of potent antibiotic drugs that helped save millions of lives. Medical researchers learned to identify and cultivate viruses, which led to vaccines for increasing numbers of diseases.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 938147
• Report Number(s): ANL/CMB/JA-27590
• Journal Information: Popul. Bull., Journal Name: Popul. Bull. Journal Issue: 2 ; Jul. 1997 Vol. 52
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: ENGLISH

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ANTIBIOTICS
DEATH
DISEASES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
EPIDEMIOLOGY
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
PARASITIC DISEASES
PUBLIC HEALTH
VACCINES
VIRUSES