Pandemics, Poverty, and Politics

A compelling exploration of how socio-political factors like inequality and poverty exacerbate pandemics.

In a world where millions perish from preventable diseases amid unprecedented wealth and technological advancement, Pandemics, Poverty, and Politics
illuminates a central paradox of our times. This compelling work by a seasoned physician and global health leader unravels the complex web of social, political, and economic factors driving pandemics and other health crises.

Drawing from three decades of experience in the public health field, Tyler B. Evans, MD, MS, MPH, presents a unique and deeply personal narrative. The book begins with a foundational introduction to social medicine and health systems, as well as the social and political determinants of health. Case studies from every major pandemic since the mid-nineteenth century to current times—beginning with the third plague and ending with COVID-19—highlight the common social and political drivers of these outbreaks. Fractured health systems worsened by social disruption place inordinate stress on societies and disproportionately impact the most vulnerable. Case studies ranging from malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases to influenza, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and tuberculosis, reinforce how socio-political factors build upon each other; for example, high population stress following political repression and unrest in Apartheid South Africa contributed to a major outbreak of HIV in the 1990s.

While scientific advancements have progressed, the failure to address underlying social inequities leaves us vulnerable to even more devastating health crises. This book is an essential read for public health professionals, policymakers, students, and anyone committed to understanding and mitigating the complex factors that underpin global health emergencies.