Throughout this course, I have learned a lot about epidemics, societies, and how they affect each other. Through completing the artifacts, I have gained much more insight into public health aspects of history and the present that I would not have known otherwise. In this reflective essay, I would like to address some of what I learned this semester.
In general, societies have been greatly impacted by epidemics. Societies have been impacted by epidemics from the beginning of what we consider civilization. One of the main influencers of the emergence of many diseases we know today is the sedentary lifestyle. When people began to get away from the nomadic lifestyle, settle down, and begin agriculture, disease started to emerge. The domestication of animals brought disease to people that previously had little close contact with animals. In addition, the emergence of towns and later cities brought about increasing amounts of waste and trash, which facilitated the spread of diseases. People began living in closer proximity, as well, which further expedited the spread of disease (Artifact 1 “Disease and Plagues—from Past to Present”).
There are many examples of how specific epidemics impacted societies. One outbreak that changed the course of civilization and history was the Bubonic Plague. The Plague influenced medical research, particularly by Guy de Chaliac, who published several volumes of medical literature post-plague that would be used for centuries. The Plague also brought about a greater emphasis on scientific study, as well as art. This led to the great period of innovation in history known as the Renaissance (Artifact 3 “Plague—Yesterday and Today”). Another outbreak that had a wide-reaching effect on societies was small pox. When the Spanish came to the New World, they brought smallpox with them. This eventually wiped out most of the Aztec and Incan population, allowing for the relatively easy settlement of the New World by the Spanish (Artifact 4 “Smallpox—Significance and Effects on History). Another specific outbreak that greatly influenced society forever was the Cholera outbreak in England. This brought about significant change in sanitation standards (Artifact 8 “Cholera Still King Today?”).
Societies have responded and continue to respond to outbreaks and epidemics in similar ways. During the Bubonic Plague, people tried to understand the disease. In this instance, they blamed it on miasmas. Another response was religious persecution and fanaticism. Many tried folk remedies that they believed might work. They also first began instituting quarantine and isolation of the sick (Artifact 3 “Plague—Yesterday and Today” and Bubonic Plague Film). During the Spanish Flu, people, again, tried home remedies and masks as an effort to fight the outbreak. Even today, people respond in similar ways, which can be influenced by misinformation (Artifact 2 “Outbreak Significance and Factors”). These examples of responses to outbreaks all have one aspect in common, and that is that the layperson will try anything that might have a chance of working to stop the disease. Throughout history and today, that is a common theme of outbreak response.
Societies have had a major impact on the diseases that have affected them. This began, as mentioned above, with the domestication of animals with the beginning of agriculture (Artifact 1 “Disease and Plagues—from Past to Present”). The threat of disease grew with the creation of cities and the filth that followed (Artifact 1; Artifact 3). An increase in globalization and global trade also greatly influence the spread of disease, specifically (Artifact 3 “Plague—Yesterday and Today”). As civilizations grew, they began to push deeper and deeper into the wild, bringing them into closer contact with animals and zoonotic diseases which were previously ‘out of range.’ Finally, some cultural practices, such as eating bush meat have been a societal influence on the emergence and spread of various diseases (Artifact 2 “Outbreak Significance and Factors”). Societies have had much to do with the beginning and spread of the diseases by which they were and continue to be affected.
Modern society has been, and will continue to be, impacted by established and emerging diseases. One impact is an increase in infectious disease research, as is the case with TB. We know so much more now about the disease than we knew even 60 years ago (Artifact 7 “History of Tuberculosis and its Threat Today”). That is not only the case with TB, but also numerous other diseases. The increase in knowledge about infectious diseases is a direct result of their prevalence and impact on the health of societies. There has also been an overall increase in health standards worldwide as a result of established and emerging diseases. One example is the campaign for sanitary toilets in India (#EveryWomansRight video). This may seem like a small example, but it is a simple solution to a potentially complex issue of infectious disease spread as a result of human waste. In addition to positive impacts on society, established and emerging diseases have had and continue to have negative effects. One surprising effect is potentially a lack of response. This was seen within the Reagan Administration during the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, in which the President and his staff failed to address the issues at hand outright until much after the fact (Artifact 9 “Fighting the HIV Epidemic in the United States”). Another negative impact from established and emerging diseases is social stigma. Social stigmas are linked specifically with TB and HIV, both of which result in shunning patients and losing friends and family (Artifact 7 “History of Tuberculosis and its Threat Today;” Artifact 9 “Fighting the HIV Epidemic in the United States”). Established and emerging diseases have both positive and negative effects on society.
On the other hand, societies can have an influence on established and emerging diseases. One such factor has been the over prescription of antibiotics. This has led to resistant strains of several pathogens (Artifact 1 “Disease and Plagues—from Past to Present”). In addition, the negative stigma of TB, which influences underreporting of symptoms and patients not taking medications, has led to MDR-TB and XDR-TB. These are much more dangerous forms of TB (Artifact 7 “History of Tuberculosis and its Threat Today”). Finally, war has been a major influence on established and emerging diseases. War in Yemen, specifically, has led to the destruction to health and sanitation infrastructure. It has also led to the malnourishment of those living there (Artifact 8 “Cholera Still King Today?”). All of these factors influencing established and emerging diseases stem from societies, themselves.
The Epidemics and Society course has taught me so much about the history and current state of public health. There are a few specific examples of some of the more influential activities in which we participated that have contributed to this learning. First, while completing Artifact 1 “Disease and Plagues—from Past to Present,” I learned a lot about the emergence of disease and the factors that initially influenced its spread. It was interesting to see the ancient origins, such as agricultural lifestyle and the development of cities. I never knew about the emergence of the diseases which we often learn or hear about. While completing Artifact 5 “Ethics and Infectious Disease—Focus: Syphilis”, I increased my existing knowledge of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment. I had heard of it before, but I learned much more about the extent of the unethical treatment of the men involved in that study. It was helpful for me to see the ethics behind clinical research, especially as I prepare to enter into healthcare. Finally, while completing Artifact 7 “History of Tuberculosis and Its Threat Today,” I learned much more about TB. Before this class, I had only really heard of the disease and vaguely knew about its characteristics. I was particularly moved by the film which we watched in class. I did not realize the extent of the suffering experienced by TB patients. Completing these artifacts truly increased my awareness and knowledge about society, disease, and public health.
Overall, my experience in Epidemics and Society has been rewarding. I have learned a lot about disease on a larger scale than in previous biology classes, which I believe will be helpful in the future. As I move forward, I will leave this class with a better understanding of the interaction between the spread of disease, society, and the influence each has on the other.
Help Received: Artifacts listed (including all sources included on their Help Received statements), instructions from Canvas, https://i0.wp.com/schoolshistory.org.uk/topics/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/King_cholera_poster_1849.gif for image 1, http://bento.cdn.pbs.org/hostedbento-prod/filer_public/spillover/images/viruses/definitions/transmission.png for image 2, Spellcheck