Crisis Averted: The Hidden Science of Fighting Outbreaks

by Caitlin Rivers PhD

Overview

“Readers should come away from Crisis Averted with a better comprehension of what public health does and why it is such a crucial endeavor.” —The Washington Post

"A master class in how we can pinpoint and prevent health crises before they spiral out of control."—Scott Gottlieb, MD, author of Uncontrolled Spread

A fascinating window into the secret life of epidemiology, weaving together stories of triumph and tragedy, with a boots-on-the-ground perspective on how we can avert the next public health crisis

There are few visible markers of the accomplishments of public health. When epidemiologists do their jobs, nothing happens. An outbreak does not grow into an epidemic. A child does not go hungry. A would-be smoker never lights up. In this fascinating window into the secret life of public health, Caitlin Rivers weaves together stories of triumph and tragedy to show that by making sure things don't happen, she and legions of scientists, practitioners, and policymakers change the course of history.

We have many of the tools and experiences needed to prevent the next crisis, but as past experiences teach us, the unexpected is always around the corner. We cannot afford complacency, as countless challenges remain, including constantly emerging pathogens, the rapid growth of biotechnology, and the inconsistent cycles of funding for public health programs. Progress can be slow, but the unsung hero's in epidemiology remain focused on their missions. Crisis Averted tells their stories—from the eradication of smallpox in the twentieth century to a battle against mosquito-borne diseases in the Florida Keys to the international safeguards implemented against extraterrestrial germs.  

By taking a candid look at how we solve problems in public health, Caitlin Rivers illuminates the role of epidemiology in all our lives and lays out the case for what can be accomplished given sufficient vision, leadership, and resources. Crisis Averted is an inspiring and galvanizing call for us to work together towards a healthier, more resilient future.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593490792
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	10/08/2024
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Caitlin Rivers, PhD, is an epidemiologist who specializes in outbreak science and an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She was a founding member of the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and a longtime advocate for its creation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rivers participated in influential reports that guided the US pandemic response. She has written for or has been featured in media such as USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Science, Foreign Affairs, Vox, and NPR. She talks about outbreaks and public health in her weekly newsletter, Force of Infection.

Editorial Reviews

The book is an attempt not just to highlight and celebrate hidden successes but also to prepare for the next outbreak, and the one after that. The stakes could not be more important.”—New Republic

“Rivers manages to convey a sense of hope, courage, and desire to fortify public systems… The book will leave readers with a sense of the challenges, excitement, and potential of this field.”—Science

“Readers should come away from Crisis Averted with a better comprehension of what public health does and why it is such a crucial endeavor.” —The Washington Post

“Crisis Averted is Ms. Rivers’s ambitious and…successful attempt to reset our relationship with the field of public health. With a judicious blend of candor, hopefulness and pragmatism, she calls out its mistakes, reminds us of its historic accomplishments and emphasizes the need for the discipline to adjust its strategies if its full promise is to be realized.”—Wall Street Journal

“Few public health leaders have been as prophetic as Caitlin Rivers. She has been at the forefront of identifying the risks we face from pathogens, foretelling outbreaks, and guiding our responses with remarkable foresight. In Crisis Averted, Rivers offers a masterclass in how we can pinpoint and prevent health crises before they spiral out of control and use the tools of public health to reduce suffering from disease.”—Scott Gottlieb, M.D., author of Uncontrolled Spread

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Caitlin Rivers became one of our most trusted voices in public health. Now her goal ‘is to make the threads of public health visible in the fabric of our lives.’ Through fascinating stories paired with compelling insights, she succeeds remarkably. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in public health—which should be all of us by now.”—Sandeep Jauhar, New York Times bestselling author of Heart and My Father's Brain

"I've known for several years now that Caitlin Rivers is one of the most inspiring practitioners of—and advocates for—public health in the United States. But reading Crisis Averted made it clear to me that she was also a gifted storyteller. With powerful narratives and hard-won expertise from her work on the frontlines of the COVID crisis, Rivers shines essential light on the often invisible ways that public health protects us all." —Steven Johnson, author of The Ghost Map and Extra Life

“Digging into little-known successes and underappreciated failures, Crisis Averted makes a powerful and persuasive case for how societies can get better at responding to disease threats. A must read for anyone interested in public health.”—Adam Kucharski, author of The Rules of Contagion

From the Publisher

2024-06-28
Epidemiology has delivered critical advances in public health, according to an expert in the field.

The Covid-19 pandemic was a global tragedy, says Rivers, an epidemiologist who specializes in outbreak science, but it was also a crucial learning experience. As the first event of its size since the 1918 influenza pandemic, it provided tools, experience, and a heightened level of awareness about public health issues. It demonstrated, as well, that global coordination could take place despite political and cultural divisions. Rivers believes that accomplishments of public health are one of the great human success stories, boasting such remarkable achievements as the eradication of smallpox and the near-defeat of polio and several other plagues. The irony, however, is that some of the most important events in the field, when epidemics have been identified, contained, and defeated at an early stage, have gone largely unnoticed. There is, apparently, little media interest in people remaining healthy. Rivers tracks through the history of epidemiology, explaining how the pieces were gradually put together and the progress of epidemics was mapped. An effective response requires many players: doctors who first encounter the signs, a system for reporting, diagnosticians to define the pathogen, laboratory scientists to develop treatment methods and vaccines, and a reliable mechanism for delivery. New threats are appearing at an accelerating rate, with outbreaks that demand a large-­scale mobilization of resources occurring about every two years, notes Rivers. She is optimistic about the capacity of the system to respond, with national and international agencies providing important avenues for cooperation. The author clearly knows everything there is to know about her subject, and she writes with clarity, insight, and authority.

An informative, accessible package, useful as an examination of the road behind and the path ahead.

Kirkus Reviews