Dr. Jonathan Quick: Fighting For Global Health Security

Dr. Jonathan D. Quick (US) is urging us to take action against a future possible epidemic. More so than any other worldwide crisis, like war or climate change, a germ has the potential to cause a worldwide catastrophe. In his new book The End of Epidemics: The Looming Threat to Humanity and How to Stop It, Dr. Quick answers the question, “How do we prevent the next global pandemic?”

Dr. Quick is a Harvard Medical School Faculty member and Boston University School of Public Health. He also serves as Chair of the Global Health Council. Day-to-day he is a family physician and health management specialist, as well as a Senior Fellow at Management Sciences for Health. He received his first degree from Harvard University and an MD from the University of Rochester. He knows what he’s talking about. Har

Dr. Quick speaks about a global pandemic as a major threat, yet why aren’t we doing anything about it? He tells The Guardian: “First, there’s fear. We are all afraid of death. We respond to the fear of epidemic disease by wanting to blame someone else… We want to punish those with the disease, pretending that whatever makes them other has cursed them.” Secondly, he says, “…denial and complacency, which often starts at the top, with political leaders or public health officials who reject the reality before them.” And third, “…financial self-interest: how many vaccines never get developed because poor people can’t pay for the drugs that pharmaceutical companies could develop?”

His book is a call-to-action that discusses the reasons why this timely and important issue is relevant now, and how it is imperative we do something starting today. He provides background, history and actions that we can all take part in to help stop the rise of the next epidemic. Anyone who is a fan of science, nonfiction, and a member of the world will benefit from his book.

Dr. Quick presents The End of Epidemics: The Looming Threat to Humanity and How to Stop It at Brisbane Writers Festival on 7 September at 2:30pm. Join us for an intellectually stimulating conversation about his latest book, hope for the future, and the ethics of “going under” with Kate Cole-Adams.