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With measles on the rise, what we can learn from past epidemics
Mar 26, 2025
Historian Edna Bonhomme, author of "A History of the World in Six Plagues," dives into the intersections of health and marginalized communities. She discusses the societal myths during the HIV-AIDS epidemic that shaped her childhood. The conversation examines lessons from past epidemics, the role of trust in public health, and critiques of governmental neglect. Bonhomme emphasizes the importance of learning from history to improve health strategies and highlights the need for inclusive healthcare practices for better community support.
29:51
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Quick takeaways
- Edna Bonhomme emphasizes the need for trust between marginalized communities and public health institutions to effectively manage health crises.
- The podcast critiques past public health failures, advocating for lessons learned to improve responses to epidemics like measles today.
Deep dives
Childhood Illness and Its Impact on Identity
As a child in 1980s Miami, Edna Bonhomme faced a life-altering experience when she contracted typhoid fever. The isolation she felt during her hospitalization not only contributed to a poignant sense of loss but also instilled a lasting awareness of her identity as a Haitian-American. At a time when Haitian communities were unfairly stigmatized by stereotypes surrounding HIV/AIDS, this experience highlighted the intersection of health crises and racial discrimination. Bonhomme's personal journey through illness and societal prejudice informed her understanding of resistance, which she later incorporates into her work examining how marginalized groups collide with public health narratives.
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