The development of vaccines has changed modern history by preventing diseases that once killed millions of people. But there have recently been outbreaks of childhood maladies thought to have been eliminated. Most Americans don't remember measles, because the disease was declared eradicated in the year 2000. But, from New York to California, recent outbreaks are reminders of the potentially deadly disease, due to a drop in the vaccination of vulnerable children. Elsewhere in the world, polio's making a comeback, where violence and religious beliefs have discouraged vaccination or made it impossible. In America, some parents are making a choice. Is there a lack of trust in the public health system? Are the media spreading misinformation? How's a parent to know?
Preventable Diseases Are Making a Comeback
More
- Centers for Disease Control on vaccine safety
- Council on Foreign Relations on drug and vaccine safety in global health
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control on vaccine-preventable diseases
- Garrett on the measles legacy of disgraced doctor, Andrew Wakefield
- Garrett's 'Betrayal of Trust: The Collapse of Global Public Health'
- Margulis' 'The Business of Baby: What Doctors Don't Tell You, What Corporations Try to Sell You, and How to Put Your Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Before Their Bottom Line'
- Mnookin's 'The Panic Virus: The True Story behind the Vaccine-Autism Controversy'
- PBS' 'Frontline' on the vaccine war
- Swanson on the measles outbreak in America
- Swanson's 'Mama Doc Medicine: Finding Calm and Confidence in Parenting, Child Health, and Work-Life Balance'
- World Health Organization on myths, facts about vaccination
Credits
Guests:
- Laurie Garrett - Council on Foreign Relations - @Laurie_Garrett
- Wendy Sue Swanson - Seattle Children's Hospital - @SeattleMamaDoc
- Jennifer Margulis - Brandeis University - @JenniferMarguli
- Seth Mnookin - Massachusetts Institute of Technology - @sethmnookin