The David Frum Show The Preventable Return of Deadly Diseases
22 snips
Sep 17, 2025 
Kyle Harper, a historian and expert in climate science from the University of Oklahoma, dives deep into the resurgence of preventable diseases like measles. He discusses how misinformation and anti-vax sentiments fuel this public health crisis despite significant historical advances in vaccination. Harper connects lessons from ancient Rome to our current trust issues in public health, arguing that we are now less prepared for future pandemics than during COVID-19. The conversation emphasizes the need for collective responsibility and renewed trust in science.
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A 17th-Century Family's Loss To Smallpox
- Kyle Harper recounts reading Alice Thornton's 17th-century diary where she lost six of nine children to smallpox.
- The story illustrates how pervasive and traumatic smallpox was for families before vaccination.
Jenner's Empirical Leap To Vaccination
- Edward Jenner observed milkmaids' cowpox exposure protected them from smallpox and experimented in the 1790s.
- Jenner's empirical approach launched vaccination without germ theory but saved countless lives.
How Infectious Disease Shaped Human History
- Infectious disease dominated human mortality until the late 19th century and shaped bodies and societies.
- Advances like vaccines, sanitation, and antibiotics transformed life expectancy and daily habits.
