“A new global iatrogenic form of malaria was emerging—“iatrogenic” meaning created as a result of medical treatment. In its well-meaning zeal to treat the world’s malaria scourge, humanity had created a new epidemic.”
Garrett charts the global health issues in the 20th century that have been accentuated by human activity and misuse of medications. She describes various origins of diseases and modes of transmission that pose new challenges to medicine. In the assertion, she introduces the term ‘iatrogenic’ in the book to highlight the major problem in public health. The issue of treatments causing new compilations in the quest of eradicating global diseases.
“The skills needed to describe and recognize perturbations in the Homo sapiens microecology are disappearing with the passing of the generations, leaving humanity, lulled into a complacency born of proud discoveries and medical triumphs, unprepared for the coming plague.”
By the late 20th century, the science community had most microbial diseases under control through medications or vaccines. Therefore the new generations were born into a world where public health had not been pushed to the edge by new diseases. This however placed medicine and the world populace vulnerable to epidemics at a magnitude that they have not yet experienced. The novel COVID-19 is an instance of a pandemic that has overwhelmed the world in an effort to contain it and find a vaccine. Garret expresses that the global community does not take account of potential pandemics and killer viruses that can erupt.
“Humanity’s ancient enemies are, after all, microbes. They didn’t go away just because science invented drugs, antibiotics, and vaccines (with the notable exception of smallpox).”
Garret accentuates the tendency of microbial diseases resurging due to antibiotic resistance over time. Therefore the battle with microbes is a never-ending one and the public should be educated on preventions and proper use of antibiotics. Garrett asserts that sanitation issues and pollution are worsening the current major diseases and microbial infections. She stresses that proper hygiene and education are vital towards ensuring the future of public health is secure.
