A Geography of Infection: Spatial Processes and Patterns in Epidemics and Pandemics

by Matthew R. Smallman-Raynor, Andrew D. Cliff, J. Keith Ord, Peter Haggett

Overview

The last half century has witnessed two landmark events in medical history. The 1970s saw euphoria about the defeat of one of humankind's oldest disease scourges with the global eradication of smallpox. To set against this, the 2020s are experiencing the pandemic ravages of new viral diseases, of which COVID-19 is currently the most potent. But it is only the latest of a succession of threats. A Geography of Infection explores the distinctive spatial patterns and processes by which such infectious diseases spread from place to place and can grow from local and regional epidemics into global pandemics. This resource focuses initially on the local scale of doctors' practices and small islands where epidemic outbreaks are slight in the numbers infected and in geographical extent. Such local area studies raise two questions. First, how and where do epidemic diseases emerge and second, why do more diseases appear to be emerging now? To approach such questions implies a shift in spatial gear from painting epidemics with a fine-tipped local brush to an expanded palette on which doctors' practices and small islands are replaced by regional and global populations. Simultaneously, time bands are extended backwards to the origins of civilization and forwards into the twenty-first century. It eventually leads to a consideration of global pandemics - both historical (for example, plague, cholera and influenza) and contemporary (HIV/AIDS and COVID-19) and examines the ways the spread of infection can be prevented. All chapters are extensively illustrated with full-colour diagrams and maps - some of which are in colour for the first time. Bringing together the authors' collective 150 years of experience in research, mapping, and writing on spatial aspects of medical history, this is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the spread, control, and eradication of epidemic and pandemic diseases.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780192664525
Publisher:	OUP Oxford
Publication date:	02/10/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
File size:	28 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Professor Matthew R. Smallman-Raynor, Professor of Geography, University of Nottingham, since 2004. Educ: Cambridge University, BA (1988), MA Cantab. (1991), PhD (1991). Res. Associate in Geog., Univ. of Cambridge, 1991-94; Lectr in Geog., Univ. of Exeter, 1994-96; Univ. of Nottingham: Res. Fellow, 1996-98; Lectr in Geog., 1998-2001; Reader in Geog., 2001-4. Professor Andrew D. Cliff, European Academy 2002; FBA 1996; RGS/IBG Victoria Medal Victoria Medal, 2017, for research excellence in spatial epidemiology. Professor of Theoretical Geography, University of Cambridge, since 1997; Pro-Vice-Chancellor 2004-10; Fellow, Christ's College, Cambridge, since 1974. Educ: King's Coll. London (BA 1964); Northwestern Univ. (MA 1966); Univ. of Bristol (PhD 1969; DSc 1982); MA Cantab. 1973. FSS 1968. Teaching Asst in Geog., Northwestern Univ., 1964-66; University of Bristol: Res. Associate in Geog., 1968-69; Lectr 1969-72; Lectr in Geog., Univ. of Cambridge, 1973-91; Reader in Theoretical Geog., Univ. of Cambridge, 1991-97. Professor J. Keith Ord, Professor Emeritus of Business Statistics at Georgetown University since 2015. Educ. London School of Economics B.Sc(Econ), 1973, Ph.D. (1967). Univ. of Bristol: Res. Asst in Econ,1966-67, Lect. In Econ and OR, 1967-74; Univ. of Warwick: Reader in Stat., 1974-1980. Pennsylvania State Univ.: Professor of Mgmt Sci and Stat, 1980-99; Georgetown Univ.: Professor of Operations Mgmt and Stat. 1999-2015. Professor Peter Haggett, CBE ScD (Cantab) FBA. Emeritus prof. geog., University of Bristol. Hon degr. UK: Bristol, Durham, UCL, UWE: Other: Copenhagen, Helsinki, York(Can). For.memb: US Nat.Acad.Sci, Amer.Acad. Arts. Sci.; Chmn. Hist. Med. Ctte, Wellcome Trust. J.J.Hill vis.prof. (Public Health, Geog.), Wisconsin. PAHO Fellow, Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Table of Contents

1.. Epidemics as Diffusion Waves2.. Epidemics in Small Communities3.. Global Origins and Dispersals4.. Pandemics, I: Pandemics in History5.. Pandemics, II: COVID-196.. Infectious Disease Control

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Amy Schwartz, MPH (University of Iowa College of Public Health)
Description: This book explores the geography of infection through the well-executed use of maps and charts. The authors use several innovative methods to illustrate the spread of infection, affected populations, and trends over time while simultaneously exploring the history of infections ranging back to 10,000 years ago. Overall, I found this to be a very engaging read and enjoyed the different methods of data visualization employed by the authors.
Purpose: The book's main purpose is to explore the ways in which diseases spread among populations by incorporating the elements that affect spread during the time of the epidemic. The authors aim to study both the geographical elements of spread as well as the time elements and make use of advanced mapping techniques, modeling, and data visualization. Additionally, the authors studied the way various population characteristics (e.g., size, travel, social) could influence the spread of disease. The objectives of this book have been and continue to be exceedingly important, and this importance has only been underlined by the COVID-19 pandemic. In my opinion, the authors accomplished their objectives in full.
Audience: This book appears to be aimed at those working in the fields of medicine and public health, which is appropriate. I think it will be particularly useful to graduate students and researchers, though those in most sciences fields may find it to be an interesting read. Together the authors have extensive experience in the fields of geography, statistics, and medicine and utilize their own professional experience to illustrate concepts.
Features: Using innovative graphing and mapping techniques, the authors explore the various factors that influence the spread of infection among populations. The book uses examples of epidemics throughout history to explore the impacts of population size, travel, and social practices on disease spread. A multitude of different mapping, modeling, and statistical techniques are used to illustrate the importance of these characteristics for disease transmission. The authors deftly explain somewhat challenging concepts through clear writing and complementary visualizations. Maps are used appropriately and enhance the provided text. Images are appropriately sized and figure legends provide adequate descriptions of the accompanying figures. The chapters are well thought out and describe specific concepts that build off one another. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and appreciated the authors' use of various data sources throughout history. Although I was aware of many of the concepts explored in this book, it was enjoyable to revisit them and learn new details. For the topics with which I was less familiar, I appreciated the authors' detailed and easily comprehensible explanations. The authors also incorporate current COVID-19 data, which is challenging given that the pandemic is still ongoing. The inclusion of COVID-19 is commendable and increases the relevance of the publication while also reinforcing the importance of the covered concepts. There are a handful of areas where improvements may be useful to consider. For example, it would have been helpful if figures were on the same page as the text referring to them, but this may not have been possible due to space constraints. Sometimes helpful data collection is missing. For example, state and county data from the U.S. CDC is often based on residence rather than state/county of infection, which becomes important when visualizing some of the zoonotic diseases described in chapter 3. Finally, though all references used were appropriate, I believe there may be more recent references and data available than those utilized by the authors.
Assessment: This book is a great addition to the already available literature. It offers creative visualization methods and proficiently describes the importance of population characteristics with respect to disease transmission. Although this is a first edition, the authors mention several comparable titles with which they have been involved. This book is an update to many of those publications and incorporates more recent data.

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