The Great Pandemic: John Snow's Contributions to Modern Epidemiology - Research Paper

Introduction

It was the worst pandemic of the recent history that affected nearly a quarter of the world's population at the time of about 500 million people. The epidemic lasted for an entire year; this shows how if pandemics are not managed can be detrimental to a world's public health.

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John Snow

John Snow is a renowned physician who is among the founders of anesthesia, thus contributing to modern epidemiology. The physician hugely contributed to this epidemiologic research during the outbreak of cholera in Soho, London, in the year 1854.

Question Two

Weak primary health care and Fragile and vulnerable settings: First, healthcare is the fundamental tool to fight disease pandemics. Therefore, the central healthcare system further exposes public health. The inadequate facilities to handle disease outbreak contributes to the spread of such disease. Secondly, the fragile and vulnerable settings, as witnessed by the large population living less protected areas such as slum areas, contribute to the spread of disease pandemics. These populations besides struggling with disease experience drought, famine, and population displacement

Epidemiology will help be crucial in backing up the primary healthcare by providing alternative care system through newly developed vaccines. In instead of applying expensive and prolonged care approaches, the epidemiologic research will come in handy to offer a shortcut to these disease pandemics. Next, epidemiology will be vital in rescuing the fragile communities who suffer from other menaces such as drought, famine, and population displacement by providing vaccines to guard them against the pandemics. The epidemiology will facilitate the development of cheap ways of tackling the diseases as they arise; this will help in covering the vulnerable population that cannot access proper medication. Moreover, the idea is focused on addressing the economic burden that these vulnerable communities may face in the event of an outbreak.

Question Three

I wash my hands regularly with soap after a long day of work and after greeting people. Epidemiology studies have established that regularly washing hands help in killing the germs that may get into our hands through contact with surfaces. The studies have proved poor hygiene contributes to the survival of the viruses resulting in the transmission of diseases. In particular, concerning COVID-19, Epidemiologist has advised that keeping maximum health can reduce the chances of virus survival.

Question Four

For the past four months, the world has hard to battle a new strain of Coronavirus. COVID-19 was declared on 30 January by WHO as an international emergency. The disease has aroused tremendous apprehension worldwide, with scientists struggling to figure out its treatment. With numbers doubling in every country, this news has left the world at limbo. The epidemiology departments have continued to burn the midnight oil developing a counter approach to this plague. I have chosen this story due to its extraordinary nature. The deaths witnessed so far have escalated fear among the world population. Unlike other pandemics previously observed, the new strain poses an enormous danger to humankind.

Question Five

This course has delved into epidemiology studies putting at a vantage point of learning disease control & management as well as the various epidemiology approaches in managing multiple pandemics. The first object is essential in introducing me to fundamental epidemiology researches. With this knowledge, I would be able to traverse various potential pandemics of the world's history as well as their control and management approach. The second objective will usher me into the world of epidemiology and allow me to understand the primary concepts of epidemiology. Upon completion of this course, I will be able to gain skills and knowledge essential to the field of epidemiology.

References

Haslinger-Baumann, E. (2018). Assessment of Healthcare Facilities for the Promotion of Health Literacy - A Feasibility Study. Nursing & Healthcare International Journal, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.23880/nhij-16000143

Salzberger, B., Gluck, T., & Ehrenstein, B. (2020). Successful containment of COVID-19: the WHO-Report on the COVID-19 outbreak in China. Infection. https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-020-01409-4