Epidemiologists Erin and Erin discuss historical horror stories, the plague, cholera cocktails, flu shots, tick bombs, milkmaids, witch trials, and more. They share infectious enthusiasm for disease ecology, exploring questions about handwashing, vaccine fears, and intriguing conspiracy theories.
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Quick takeaways
Contagion movie accurately depicts infectious disease outbreak realism, endorsed by epidemiologists.
Ebola vaccine efficacy demonstrated in 2014 outbreak, limiting pandemic potential via close contact transmission.
Recognition of obesity as a disease shifts focus to lifestyle impact on health, highlighting preventive measures.
Deep dives
Contagion vs. Outbreak: Epidemiologists' Pick
Epidemiologists named Aaron prefer the 2011 film Contagion over Outbreak. Contagion, featuring Kate Winslet, resonates deeply with the realism of an infectious disease outbreak, maintaining accuracy with expert consultation and aligning closely with actual public health responses, making it a bone-chilling experience.
Vaccine Success with Ebola
Ebola vaccine testing towards the end of the 2014 outbreak proved effective, offering hope for containment in subsequent outbreaks. The transmission mode of Ebola, primarily through close contact with bodily fluids, limited its pandemic potential, keeping the risk low for individuals outside directly affected areas.
Classifying Obesity as a Disease
The CDC's classification of obesity as a disease acknowledges the complex nature of health concerns influenced by behavior and lifestyle factors. The recognition of obesity as a disease underscores the societal and environmental impact on health choices, shifting the focus towards chronic illnesses and preventive measures.
Behavioral Epidemics: Unveiling the Pathogen of Chronic Illnesses
Chronic illnesses like smoking-related lung cancer, obesity, and heart disease are increasingly classified as epidemics within public health discourse. These conditions, influenced by lifestyle and behavioral factors, reflect broader societal challenges and system-level pathologies beyond traditional infectious disease models.
The Impact of Academic Disparities on Health Literacy
Wealth, education, and health disparities contribute to challenges in health literacy, leading to inadequate access to information for those in need. The systemic issues in the country exacerbate the situation, underscoring the importance of addressing broader societal inequalities to improve overall health outcomes.
Tick-Borne Diseases and Climate Change
Tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease are on the rise due to factors such as climate change and deforestation altering habitats. The spread of these diseases is linked to changes in animal populations that interact with ticks, highlighting the complex interplay between environmental shifts and the prevalence of vector-borne illnesses.
TWO epidemiologists-named-Erin -- and hosts of the stellar This Podcast Will Kill You -- chat with Alie about historical horror stories, THE plague, cholera cocktails, flu shots, tick bombs, milkmaids, witch trials and more as they share their infectious enthusiasm for disease ecology. How much should you wash your hands? What's the best way to flirt with a stranger on a bus? Why are people scared of vaccines? What conspiracy theory enthralls Alie? So many questions with uncomfy, but fascinating, answers.