Pandemics & Epidemics: Past, Present, and Future: Heroes and Casualties

The names of the great many of the heroes and casualties of epidemics and pandemics remain unknown to most of us.  They include the epidemiologists and medical researchers, who track the origins and spread of global disease; the scientists who study the pathology of the disease and develop treatments and vaccines; the doctors and nurses who use all the tools at their disposal to care for patients and return them to health; the policymakers who institute safeguards to protect populations at home and round the world; the survivors of the disease; and the many millions of individuals who did not survive the ravages of disease.

On this page, we highlight the names of a few individuals, groups, and organizations who have had an impact on our understanding of these fast-spreading diseases.