Epidemiological Transitions

Question 0

Causes of sickness and deaths before the first transition

Answer 0

Predators
Bacteria infections and insect bone diseases
Parasites
Worms
Climate instability with extreme temperature and drought in some areas, natural disasters (earthquakes, fires, floods, volcanic eruptions)
Interpersonal violence

Question 1

Before the first transition

Answer 1

1. Before 10,000 - 12,000 BC, hunter-gatherers lived in bands of 25-40 people

Question 2

Protective mechanisms before the first transition

Answer 2

Bands were widely-dispersed
Relative isolation may have reduced intragroup violence
Nomadism allowed bands to move away from disease ridden human and animal waste

Question 3

During the first transition animal domestication brought people into contact with new diseases

Answer 3

Animals can serve as vectors/carriers without appearing sick

Use of animal dunk & human waste without composting was another source of communicable disease

Question 4

First transition 10,000-12,000 BC linked with plant and animal domestication

Answer 4

Larger, denser concentrations of people made it easier for pathogens to pass from host to host (although it was easier to care for the sick)