National Academies Press: OpenBook

What You Need to Know About Infectious Disease (2011)

Chapter: A Look Ahead

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Page 41
Suggested Citation:"A Look Ahead." Institute of Medicine. 2011. What You Need to Know About Infectious Disease. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13006.
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A Look Ahead

Although the vast majority of the microbes we encounter every day cause no harm, those that do lead to illness or death cannot be ignored. Dramatic advances in sanitation, as well as science, technology, and medicine, have enabled us to make great strides in our struggle to prevent and control infectious diseases. Yet pathogens—old and new—are endlessly resourceful in adapting to and breaching our defenses. In addition, factors related to society, the environment, and our increasing global interconnectedness enhance the likelihood of disease emergence and spread. Moreover, it is a sad reality that today we must also grapple with the potential use of biological agents to do harm, human against human.

Prevention and control of infectious diseases are fundamental to individual, national, and global security. Failure to recognize—and act on—this essential truth will surely lead to disaster. The magnitude of the problem requires renewed and sustained commitment from policy makers, public health officials, and a concerned public. Despite past achievements, we have still not done enough in our own defense or in the defense of others. But in looking at our prospects, it is clear that the best defense against any disease outbreak will be a robust public health system, both in its science and practice. Sustained attention, dedication, and support will be essential. Only in this way will we be able to ensure the health and safety of our nation—and the world.

Page 41
Suggested Citation:"A Look Ahead." Institute of Medicine. 2011. What You Need to Know About Infectious Disease. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13006.
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Page 41
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About a quarter of deaths worldwide--many of them children--are caused by infectious organisms. The World Health Organization reports that new infectious diseases are continuing to emerge and familiar ones are appearing in new locations around the globe. What's behind this trend? How can invisible organisms cause such harm? And to what extent has human behavior amplified the problem? What You Need to Know About Infectious Disease provides an overview of infectious disease, drawing on reports of the Institute of Medicine. Written for a general audience, it describes the biology, history, and future trends of some of the world's most widespread and harmful infections and explains what we need to do--as individuals and as a society--to address this global challenge.

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