Synopsis

Pandemics and Global Health is part of the Global Issues series, which is designed to be a first-stop resource for research on the key challenges facing the world today. Each volume contains three sections, beginning with an introduction that clearly defines the issue, followed by detailed case studies of the issue's impact in the United States and several other countries or regions. The second section draws together significant U.S. and international primary source documents, and the third section gathers useful research tools-such as brief biographies, facts and figures, an annotated bibliography, and more. A foreword written by an expert in the field complements each volume. A chronology, glossary, and index provide additional help.

Throughout history, pandemics have rapidly spread across national and continental borders and taken a devastating toll on human life. From the Black Death in Asia and Europe to the smallpox and polio outbreaks that decimated the Americas to contemporary concerns over HIV/AIDS and avian flu, epidemics have been a continuous threat to society and the world.

Pandemics and Global Health begins with an introduction that reviews major types of infectious agents and modes of transmission. It then provides a historical overview of infectious diseases and attempts to control epidemics. Thorough case studies from the United States, China, Africa, and India detail recent outbreaks in each area and government response, thereby demonstrating the need for transparency, commitment, and adequate financing in the fight against major diseases. Gathering key information on many contemporary international public health issues, this book is a valuable resource foranyone wanting to become more informed on global health concerns.

About the Author:
Barry Youngerman is the author of, among others, The Truth About Divorce and The Truth About Alcohol and coauthor of A Brief History of Afghanistan, all for Facts On File. Currently, Youngerman is working on a history of housing and the housing issue in New York City

Savannah Schroll Guz - Library Journal

This indispensable book-which rivals even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's web site in accessibility and breadth-is a practical guide to understanding communicable diseases and their transmission modes. Youngerman (A Brief History of Afghanistan) first enumerates U.S. pandemics, both historical and contemporary, then identifies infectious pathogens still rampant outside U.S. borders. He gives careful consideration to complex issues that aid disease proliferation, including ecological concerns and information suppression. Highly recommended.