Polio: An American Story

From WikiMD.com - Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Polio - An American Story

Polio: An American Story is a comprehensive historical account of the poliomyelitis epidemic in the United States, focusing on the development of the polio vaccine and the massive public health efforts to combat the disease. Authored by David Oshinsky, the book provides an in-depth look at the social, political, and scientific aspects of the polio crisis, highlighting the roles of key figures in the fight against the disease, including Jonas Salk, Albert Sabin, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who himself was a polio survivor and the founder of the March of Dimes.

Overview[edit | edit source]

The book delves into the history of polio, a disease that caused widespread panic due to its highly infectious nature and its tendency to affect children, leading to paralysis and sometimes death. Oshinsky meticulously describes the efforts to understand and combat the disease, from the early misconceptions and treatments to the groundbreaking development of the polio vaccines by Salk and Sabin. The narrative also covers the immense public health campaigns that were launched to fund research and vaccine distribution, showcasing the unprecedented national mobilization against the disease.

Key Themes[edit | edit source]

  • The Impact of Polio on American Society: Oshinsky explores how polio outbreaks terrorized American families each summer, leading to quarantines and a desperate search for a cure.
  • Scientific Innovation and Rivalry: The development of the polio vaccine is presented as a story of scientific breakthroughs, personal ambition, and intense rivalry, particularly between Salk and Sabin.
  • Public Health Campaigns: The book highlights the role of the March of Dimes and other organizations in raising funds and awareness, illustrating the power of collective action in addressing public health crises.
  • The Role of the Media: Oshinsky examines how the media shaped public perception of polio and the vaccine development process, influencing both public fear and hope.

Reception[edit | edit source]

Polio: An American Story has been widely praised for its thorough research, engaging narrative, and insightful analysis of the polio epidemic's impact on American society. It has received several awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for History, underscoring its significance as a work of historical scholarship.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

The book not only chronicles the fight against polio but also offers lessons on the importance of scientific research, public health preparedness, and the need for a coordinated response to infectious diseases. It serves as a reminder of the achievements in medical science and public health, and the ongoing need to address health challenges with innovation and collaboration.

Stub icon
   This article is a medical stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!



WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Transform your life with W8MD's budget GLP1 injections from $125

W8mdlogo.png
W8MD weight loss doctors team

W8MD offers a medical weight loss program NYC and a clinic to lose weight in Philadelphia. Our W8MD's physician supervised medical weight loss centers in NYC provides expert medical guidance, and offers telemedicine options for convenience.

Why choose W8MD?

Book Your Appointment

Start your NYC weight loss journey today at our NYC medical weight loss, and Philadelphia medical weight loss Call (718)946-5500 for NY and 215 676 2334 for PA

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's NYC physician weight loss.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available. Call 718 946 5500.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD