#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 (used needles).
### Prevention and Treatment - **Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)**, like Truvada, is highly effective in preventing HIV transmission. -

Key Concept

In the 21st century, HIV-AIDS is a major issue in Sub-Saharan Africa due to limited access to contraception and higher rates of STIs.

- NGOs are working to increase access to contraception in affected regions.

#Contraceptive Usage Rates

This chart shows that Sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest rates of contraceptive use, which contributes to higher rates of STIs like HIV-AIDS.

#Other Key Diseases 🦟

#Impact of Vaccines

_This graphic highlights how vaccines have drastically reduced the incidence of many diseases._

#Diseases Associated with Old Age and Behavior 👴

### Old Age Diseases - **Alzheimer's Disease:** A neurological condition primarily affecting older adults. -

Quick Fact

Remember that increased life expectancy due to medical advancements means we see more of these age-related diseases.

### Lifestyle Diseases - **Heart disease** and **diabetes** are on the rise due to increased rates of **obesity**. -

Exam Tip

Connect this to globalization and the availability of processed foods.

- These conditions were less common before technological surpluses in the 21st century.

#Final Exam Focus 🎯

### High-Priority Topics - **Globalization and Disease Spread:** How interconnectedness leads to pandemics. - **Public Health Responses:** How societies react to disease outbreaks (e.g., social distancing, vaccines). - **MDC vs. LDC Health Patterns:** Differences in disease prevalence and causes of death. - **Impact of Technology:** How medical advancements have changed disease patterns.
### Common Question Types - **Multiple Choice:** Expect questions on disease origins, treatments, and impacts on societies. - **Short Answer Questions (SAQs):** Be ready to explain the differences between contagious and chronic diseases. - **Free Response Questions (FRQs):** Analyze the effects of globalization on the spread of diseases.
### Last-Minute Tips - **Time Management:** Don't spend too long on a single question. - **Common Pitfalls:** Avoid generalizations about MDCs and LDCs. - **Strategies:** Always link your answers back to the AP themes (globalization, technology, etc.).
### Memory Aids - **Spanish Flu:** Remember it as a post-WWI event that spread rapidly. - **Contagious vs. Chronic:** Contagious = catchable; Chronic = long-term. - **MDC vs. LDC:** MDCs have more chronic diseases due to longer lifespans.

#Practice Questions 📝

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

Which of the following best describes the primary reason for the increased prevalence of chronic diseases in more developed countries (MDCs)? (A) Lack of access to healthcare (B) Higher rates of infectious diseases (C) Increased life expectancy due to medical advancements (D) Poor sanitation and hygiene practices
The 1918 influenza pandemic, also known as the Spanish Flu, is notable for which of the following characteristics? (A) It primarily affected rural populations (B) It was effectively contained by early vaccines (C) It occurred during the end of World War I and spread rapidly (D) It was limited to Europe and North America
Which of the following is a key factor contributing to the spread of HIV-AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa? (A) High rates of vaccination (B) Widespread use of contraception (C) Limited access to contraception and high rates of STIs (D) Advanced medical infrastructure and treatment options

#Free Response Question (FRQ)

Analyze the social and economic effects of pandemics in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Scoring Breakdown:

Thesis (1 point): A clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the prompt. Example: "Pandemics in the 20th and 21st centuries have had profound social and economic impacts, including increased public health awareness, shifts in economic priorities, and the exacerbation of existing inequalities."
Evidence (2 points):
- Provides specific historical examples of pandemics (e.g., Spanish Flu, HIV-AIDS, COVID-19) (1 point)
- Describes specific social and economic effects of pandemics (e.g., increased public health measures, economic downturns, shifts in labor markets) (1 point)
Analysis (2 points):
- Explains how pandemics have altered social behaviors and norms (e.g., increased hygiene practices, social distancing) (1 point)
- Explains how pandemics have impacted economic systems (e.g., increased spending on healthcare, disruptions to supply chains) (1 point)
Complexity (1 point): Demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the topic by considering multiple perspectives or complexities. Example: "While pandemics can lead to economic downturns, they can also spur innovation in the medical and pharmaceutical industries and lead to improved public health infrastructure, highlighting the complex and multifaceted nature of their impact."