A. Statistics about infectious disease, still a leading killer in the world
1. Despite new technology and prosperity, still a main threat
2. People believe it is a problem of the past, but it is not
B. By mid-20th century most experts had declared the war against infectious diseases was over
1. Overly optimistic, infectious diseases have been reemerging
2. Complacency followed and it is a shock how devastating infectious diseases have been since the start of the 21st century
3. Many new diseases being discovered and resurgence of diseases that were dormant for a while
C. The reemergence of infectious diseases can be attributed to current weather and environmental changes, technological and economic growth, population changes, …show more content…
Environmental Changes
1. Deforestation leads to more contact between humans and species that carry infectious diseases
a) As habitat vanishes, human and animal contact is increased
b) Biological vectors are inhabiting environments that are new to them, leading to the spread of diseases that never used to be a problem
2. Other patterns of land use affect the distribution and spread of infectious diseases
a) Building of dams and manmade reservoirs has increased waterborne and mosquito borne diseases
b) Agricultural patterns of land usage and irrigation erase natural habitats and increase human interaction with wild species
III. Technological and economic advances
A. International travel has been a major contributor in the rise of infectious diseases
1. The world becomes a global stage for disease transmission and diseases are no longer quarantined to certain areas
2. Travel itself is the perfect environment for disease spread and transmission
a) Close quarters of airplanes and airports put people at a higher risk for contracting infectious …show more content…
Lack of political surveillance and funding have lead to the increase of infectious diseases
1. When disease rates dropped in the mid-20th century, the government became complacent
a) They cut funding to infectious disease research
b) Stopped many surveillance and prevention programs that were in place
2. Governments must work together globally to track and prevent infectious diseases
VI. Conclusion
A. The rise of infectious diseases can be attributed to many current changes
1. These changes are interrelated
2. Must address many of these factors for anything to change
B. Awareness of factors is the first step
1. Political action must follow to help change the factors that are contributing to the rise
2. These factors must be addressed to stop this dangerous rise
C. We never know when the next deadly outbreak will be and that is why it is imperative to understand and address the changes in weather and environment, technology and economics, population, and politics that have led to the emergence and reemergence of infectious