Related Experiment Videos
[The concept of emerging disease]
1Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Sorbonne, Paris, France.
History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences
|January 1, 1993
Summary
The term "emerging disease" should replace "new disease" to prevent confusion. This classification system categorizes diseases based on five distinct historical emergence scenarios, aiding in clearer medical understanding.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Medical History
- Public Health
Context:
- The term 'new disease' is ambiguous and can lead to misinterpretations in medical and public health contexts.
- Historical analysis reveals multiple scenarios for disease emergence, necessitating a refined classification system.
Purpose:
- To propose a clear and standardized terminology for classifying diseases.
- To differentiate between various ways diseases emerge and become recognized in human populations.
Summary:
- Recommends replacing 'new disease' with 'emerging disease' for clarity.
- Outlines five distinct classifications for disease emergence: overlooked, changed manifestation, introduced, zoonotic, and entirely novel.
- Historical examples are used to illustrate each classification category.
Impact:
- Enhances precise communication in epidemiology and public health policy.
- Provides a framework for understanding disease origins and spread.
- Facilitates better tracking and management of diseases globally.