COVID-19 has had a huge influence on our lives over the last few years. When fighting a pandemic like this, an understanding of epidemiology is essential. From the history of pandemics to basic scientific concepts and prevention methods, this book includes everything you need to know about public health.

Epidemics have influenced human lives for thousands of years, whether it be smallpox, the Black Death, cholera, malaria, or indeed our most recent epidemic: COVID-19. They require society to work together as a whole to get them under control, which is why public health literacy is so important, especially in a globalized world.

In this book, a renowned epidemiologist joins forces with a popular children’s science writer to present the public health knowledge that’s essential for young people to know today. The first chapter starts with the history of epidemics, from ancient Egypt to modern times. Readers can see how diseases have been a threat to human life for millennia, and how scientific developments have gradually changed the way people treat epidemics.

The second chapter talks about the basic concepts of influenza, including the different categories of the virus, how the infection progresses in the body over time, and how to prevent catching it. Chapter three shifts the focus to society as a whole, using graphics and examples to explain: vaccines, social distancing, widespread testing, community spread, and other common terms we see in news. Finally, the last chapter looks to the future to see how cutting-edge technology like AI, big data, and robots have helped fight epidemics, and how we can adjust to a “new normal” after our current pandemic.

With lively illustrations and detailed explanations which feature examples and infographics, The Children’s Illustrated Guide to Epidemiology and Healthcare is an essential book for children who have grown up during the pandemic, so that they don’t just understand our current situation but can also to take measures to prevent future challenges.