Fear, Flight, Frustration and Dedicated Service: A Brief History of International Disease Control Activities, 1918-2008 (Report‪)‬

Introduction What role does studying the history of epidemics play in enhancing our understanding of nations and empires? Similarly, how do health threats fit in traditional diplomatic history or policy making? Is health security a national or an international priority? And in the 21st century with its opportunities for the rapid transmission of communicable diseases will the agencies and approaches that were so slowly crafted during preceding centuries continue to suffice? Will nation states willingly participate in supranational efforts to stem the tide of disease? And even if they do, does humanity have the capacity to meet the challenge posed by ever-mutating microorganisms?