EMERGING AND RE-EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES: The Third Epidemiologic Transition

Abstract

We use an expanded framework of multiple epidemiologic transitions to review the issues of re/emerging infection. The first epidemiologic transition was associated with a rise in infectious diseases that accompanied the Neolithic Revolution. The second epidemiologic transition involved the shift from infectious to chronic disease mortality associated with industrialization. The recent resurgence of infectious disease mortality marks a third epidemiologic transition characterized by newly emerging, re-emerging, and antibiotic resistant pathogens in the context of an accelerated globalization of human disease ecologies. These transitions illustrate recurring sociohistorical and ecological themes in human-disease relationships from the Paleolithic Age to the present day.

Food, parasites, and epidemiological transitions: A broad perspective

“…Other parasites of animals, able to adapt to the human host, were also found, suggesting close contact between the species and the use of natural resources. There is strong evidence that the first epidemiologic transition, associated with increased prevalence of infectious diseases and poor sanitation, occurred in Europe (Barrett et al, 1998;Le Bailly and Bouchet, 2010). This is characterized in the parasitological record by ubiquitous infections with geohelminths (soil transmitted helminths) (Reinhard and Pucu, 2013).…”

“…Barrett et al (1998) asserted that there are three pathoecologic phases and two major paleopaleoepidemiologic transitions. They proposed a "Paleolithic Age Baseline" of human infection and stated that during the Paleolithic times, human populations existed as small bands of nomadic foragers.…”

“…For Europe, the first epidemiologic transition established a pattern of high prevalence of disease that lasted in all regions for centuries. Barrett et al (1998) asserted that permanent settlements, accumulation of human waste, animal domestication, and agricultural practices increased contact with a variety of parasites. The Industrial Revolution, according to Barrett and colleagues, saw the control of infectious diseases and the emergence of chronic, noninfectious challenges.…”

“…We are comparing the evidence of foodborne parasites between the Americas and the Old World of Europe with some reference to the Old World of Asia. We are presenting our review following the transition sequence established by Barrett et al (1998).…”

Stable isotopes and selective forces: examples in biocultural and environmental anthropology

“…Interest in these forces is found throughout scholarship in bioarchaeology and paleopathology, particularly in studies of diet, disease and epidemiologic transitions pioneered by Armelagos (1969;Barrett et al, 1998).…”