Plagues, Products, and Politics: Emergent Public Health Hazards and National Policymaking

Rating:
Summary: An Overview of Government Responses to Public Health Threats
Review: Foreman has written a concise and informative book that describes how the US government can and does respond to perceived health threats to the American public. The book cites specific examples, focusing especially on the AIDS epidemic and the Swine flu immunization program. The book is not limited to emerging infectious diseases, as it also describes several cases of defective/dangerous/misused products. I found the policy chapters interesting and informative. From my perspective as a scientist, I think the author does an excellent job of describing the nature of biomedical research and the inherent limitations in discovering new ways to diagnose and cure diseases. The author provides a very balanced account of the competing interests in public health cases and what factors contribute to the government's response. I strongly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: An Overview of Government Responses to Public Health Threats
Review: Foreman has written a concise and informative book that describes how the US government can and does respond to perceived health threats to the American public. The book cites specific examples, focusing especially on the AIDS epidemic and the Swine flu immunization program. The book is not limited to emerging infectious diseases, as it also describes several cases of defective/dangerous/misused products. I found the policy chapters interesting and informative. From my perspective as a scientist, I think the author does an excellent job of describing the nature of biomedical research and the inherent limitations in discovering new ways to diagnose and cure diseases. The author provides a very balanced account of the competing interests in public health cases and what factors contribute to the government's response. I strongly recommend this book.