How is epidemiology shaped by the political structures of class, race and colonial power? Consequently, how might public health practices perpetuate global inequities? Steven Wilson reviews Epidemic Illusions: On the Coloniality of Public Health (The MIT
Kate McAllister reflects on parallels between COVID-19 and the early twentieth century epidemic of Encephalitis Lethargica.
What do objects from a bygone age tell us about epidemics today? Since opening in June, the exhibition Contagious! reflects on the history of pandemics, including patients’ painful experiences, coping and containment strategies, and examples of ground-breaking medical research. Ruben Verwaal reports on his recent visit.
Avril Tynan examines the dementia “epidemic” and the problems posed by illness metaphors in the context of coronavirus.
What lessons on Covid-19 can be learnt from the past? asks Rina Knoeff, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Arts and the Aletta Jacobs School for Public Health, University of Groningen.
The threats to public health posed by fake news and conspiracy theories are being taken seriously by health bodies, politicians, and social media companies. Gill Partington takes a critical look at the term ‘infodemic’, and unpicks the relationship between information and disease.
