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Technological Advances and Limitations after 1900: Disease

Sophie Anderson

Sophie Anderson

7 min read

AP World History: Modern - Disease and Medicine in the 20th & 21st Centuries ⚕️

Hey! Let's get you prepped for the exam. We're tackling a big topic, but we'll break it down so it's super clear and easy to remember. Think of this as your ultimate cheat sheet for diseases and medicine!


Pandemics and Epidemics 🌍

This is a high-value topic because it connects directly to globalization and its consequences. Expect to see questions that ask about the spread of diseases and how societies respond.


COVID-19 😷

  • While it's too recent for the AP exam, COVID-19 highlights how quickly pandemics can spread and the urgency they create in the medical community.
  • It showed us rapid development of vaccines like Adenovirus and mRNA vaccines.

Spanish Flu (1918) 🤧

  • Also known as the H1N1 flu, it originated during World War I and spread rapidly.
  • Killed an estimated 195,000 Americans in October 1918 alone.
Key Concept

This pandemic led to early public health measures like hand washing, tissue use, and social distancing.

- **Memory Aid:** Think of the Spanish Flu as a major global event that happened right after WWI, spreading as soldiers returned home.

Contagious vs. Chronic Diseases 🦠


### Contagious Diseases - Transmitted from person to person or animal to person. - Examples: Flu, common cold, meningitis, polio.
### Chronic Diseases - Non-transmissible, often related to aging or lifestyle. - Examples: Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's.
### MDC vs. LDC Patterns - **MDCs (More Developed Countries):** Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death. - **LDCs (Less Developed Countries):** Contagious diseases are more prevalent due to lower life expectancies. -
Common Mistake

Don't assume this pattern is absolute. Pandemics can cause high death rates everywhere.


HIV-AIDS 💔


### Early Days - First identified as **GRID** (Gay-Related Immunodeficiency) in the late 1900s. - Initially found mainly in gay men in the US. - Later discovered to be transmitted through blood ...