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The Contagion Next Time

Addressing systemic health issues for a better future

Sandro Galea author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press Inc

Published:2nd Feb '22

Should be back in stock very soon

The Contagion Next Time cover

In The Contagion Next Time, Galea examines the systemic issues that exacerbated COVID-19's impact and emphasizes the need for proactive public health measures.

In The Contagion Next Time, Sandro Galea explores the profound impact of COVID-19 on society, particularly in the United States, where it exacerbated existing health disparities. The pandemic revealed the vulnerabilities created by systemic issues such as racism, socioeconomic inequality, and marginalization. These factors left the nation ill-prepared to face the crisis, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to public health that addresses these foundational challenges. Galea argues that if we had confronted these issues two decades ago, the effects of COVID-19 could have been mitigated significantly.

The narrative emphasizes that while the emergence of pandemics is unpredictable, the inevitability of their occurrence is not. The Contagion Next Time articulates a clear message: we must learn from our past failures to prevent future health crises. Galea's insights urge us to rethink our health systems and societal structures to foster resilience against potential outbreaks. He advocates for a collective effort to address deep-rooted obstacles that hinder the creation of a healthy society.

Through lyrical prose, the book serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to action, reminding us that health is a public good deserving of our attention and protection. The Contagion Next Time challenges readers to envision a more equitable future, where proactive measures can lead to a healthier world for all, ultimately preparing us for the next inevitable challenge we may face.

In this unforgettable book, Sandro Galea expertly demonstrates that our investing in the healthiest population possible is literally an act of national security against a future pandemic. The Contagion Next Time issues a clear warning, and a clear way forward. This book can save us if we are serious about saving ourselves * Ibram X. Kendi, bestselling author of Stamped from the Beginning and How to Be an Antiracist *
Dr. Galea's book proves it is possible for us to build a healthier world after Covid-19—and the first step is to protect the most vulnerable, whether they're in our own neighborhoods or across the globe. The Contagion Next Time is truly a must read. * Katie Couric, award-winning journalist *
Sandro Galea lays out critical steps that we must take as individuals and as a nation to address lessons learned from the pandemic. A must read for policy makers and anyone who wants to shape a healthier future for our country and the world. * Hilary Godwin, Dean, University of Washington School of Public Health *
The Contagion Next Time seamlessly weaves personal narrative, historical accounts, and public health expertise to illuminate the importance of re-centering our everyday experiences to create a healthier society. Dr. Galea powerfully calls for greater investment in social systems to produce equitable outcomes in preparation for the inevitable next health crisis like Covid-19. * Thomas LaVeist, Dean, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine *
Covid-19 brings into sharp relief the social determinants of health. Sandro Galea, a gifted communicator, uses his considerable skills to tell the story of how our health is embedded in the nature of society, its history and values. Such understanding is vital not only to controlling pandemics but improving the health of the population. * Sir Michael Marmot, author of Build Back Fairer: The COVID-19 Marmot Review *
In the wake of a devastating pandemic, Sandro Galea's incisive narrative shows us why we cannot return to the status quo in a post-Covid world. The Contagion Next Time offers a searing commentary on the cracks in our country's foundations, shining a light on longstanding inequities and systemic racism. It also gives us reason to hope by reminding us of the opportunities and possibilities available as we reshape our nation and public health. Sandro Galea's optimism is a necessary tool for the road ahead. * Aletha Maybank, Chief Health Equity Officer, SVP, American Medical Association *
The Contagion Next Time offers a prescription for our health and well-being that is nothing less than the 'revolution of values' that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called for in 1967. Dr. Galea's diagnosis rightly indicates that we must address poverty, inequality, and systemic racism to ensure good health. Deeply engaging and insightful, this book is required reading to ensure that we not only survive the next pandemic, but thrive for generations to come. * Shailly Gupta Barnes, Policy Director for the Kairos Center and the Poor People's Campaign *
Dr. Galea's compelling and compassionate new book shows us how we must create a strong foundation in order to avert further pandemics. He urges us to address our pervasive but neglected nonmedical issues, including the American tradition of proud individualism that prevents us from recognizing how our health is interconnected, and reminds us, vividly, that until we begin to invest in our communal physical and mental health, we will remain vulnerable to future threats. * Rosalynn Carter, former First Lady *
The Contagion Next Time brings into clear focus why we have never been able to realize an equitable response during pandemics and what change agents can do to create more healthy, equitable, and empowered communities. Dr. Galea's illuminating and pathbreaking work will shape the global conversation around the forces that shape health for generations to come. * Daniel E. Dawes, Executive Director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine and author of The Political Determinants of Health *

  • Winner of Winner, 2022 BMA Medical Book Awards, Special Category COVID-19.

ISBN: 9780197576427

Dimensions: 150mm x 216mm x 26mm

Weight: 440g

296 pages