BYSTRIANYK: From the mid-1800s until the mid-1900s, there was nothing short of a miraculous societal and health transformation. Yet, that extraordinary health revolution has been primarily forgotten and replaced with a mythology that medical interventions such as antibiotics and vaccines were responsible

From the mid-1800s until the mid-1900s, there was nothing short of a miraculous societal and health transformation. Numerous changes accomplished by millions of people (activists, public health officials, inventors, scientists, engineers, plumbers, electricians, teachers, health advocates, and so many more) took our world from an era overshadowed by the specter of infectious diseases to an epoch of prosperity, relative health, and well-being. Yet, that extraordinary health revolution has been primarily forgotten and replaced with a mythology that medical interventions such as antibiotics and vaccines were responsible, which came on the scene after the vast majority of the improvements had occurred. “Life for children in this country has been made infinitely safer. We have reduced death from principal communicable diseases of childhood — measles, scarlet fever, whooping cough, diphtheria — to a new record low, a point actually promising complete eradication of these diseases!” “2 inches taller… 15 pounds heavier,” LIFE Magazine, June 2, 1941, p. 71.

From the mid-1800s until the mid-1900s, there was nothing short of a miraculous societal and health transformation. Numerous changes accomplished by millions of people (activists, public health officials, inventors, scientists, engineers, plumbers, electricians, teachers,… pic.twitter.com/FFgPATo56z

— Roman Bystrianyk (@RBystrianyk) June 23, 2024