# 5248
I’ve mentioned the IOM (Institute of Medicine) a number of times in the past, and have directed my readers to the National Academies Press for scientific reports, and books that may be purchased, viewed online - or in many cases - downloaded for free.
If you have a scientific bent at all, you owe it to yourself to visit http://www.nap.edu/ to peruse the more than 3,000 titles available.
Today I’d like to call your attention to a recently published (2010) 44-page booklet, authored by the Institute of Medicine and geared for general audiences, on infectious diseases.
The National Academies Press describes it this way:
About a quarter of deaths worldwide--many of them children--are caused by infectious organisms. The World Health Organization reports that new infectious diseases are continuing to emerge and familiar ones are appearing in new locations around the globe. What's behind this trend? How can invisible organisms cause such harm? And to what extent has human behavior amplified the problem?
What You Need to Know About Infectious Disease provides an overview of infectious disease, drawing on reports of the Institute of Medicine. Written for a general audience, it describes the biology, history, and future trends of some of the world's most widespread and harmful infections and explains what we need to do--as individuals and as a society--to address this global challenge.
In order to download this book, you’ll have to provide your name and a valid email address, but it is otherwise free.
This book provides a relatively painless introduction to the world of emerging infectious diseases - particularly for students and the lay public - as it never burdens the reader with too much scientific detail.
It does, however, cover most of the major bases (how diseases work, major disease threats, global challenges, prevention & treatment), and is nicely complemented by a variety of graphics and pictures.
My thanks to Laidback Al on FluTrackers for posting this link.
