Peter J. Hotez is een Amerikaanse wetenschapper, kinderarts en pleitbezorger op het gebied van wereldwijde gezondheid, vaccinologie en bestrijding van verwaarloosde tropische ziekten. Hij is de oprichtende decaan en hoofd van de National School of Tropical Medicine van het Baylor College of Medicine op de afdeling kindergeneeskunde en bekleedt de Texas Children's Hospital Endowed Chair in Tropical Pediatrics.
The narrative explores the personal journey of a pediatrician-scientist whose daughter was diagnosed with autism, prompting him to confront the growing anti-vaccine movement. As he grapples with his family's experience, he reflects on the impact of misinformation surrounding vaccines and their alleged link to autism, drawing from his expertise in developing vaccines for neglected tropical diseases. This intersection of personal and professional challenges highlights the urgent need for accurate public health communication.
Modern diseases and viruses have surged due to war, conflict, urbanization, climate change, and a growing anti-science sentiment. These twenty-first-century challenges have eroded previous global health advancements, leading to increases in vaccine-preventable and neglected diseases in regions like the Arabian Peninsula, Venezuela, parts of Africa, and the Gulf Coast of the United States. International vaccine scientist Peter J. Hotez, MD, PhD, emphasizes the necessity of vaccine diplomacy to combat this evolving landscape of disease. Drawing from his extensive experience in vaccine development and global partnerships, Hotez highlights the legacy of Dr. Albert Sabin and his efforts to redirect vaccine diplomacy toward emerging health threats. His tenure as the US Science Envoy for the Middle East and North Africa allowed him to observe firsthand the impact of geopolitical tensions and climate change on tropical infectious diseases. Hotez discusses the decline in global cooperation since 2015, which has hindered efforts to assist the most vulnerable populations. He warns of a cyclical pattern where disease outbreaks exacerbate existing problems, as seen with the global repercussions of COVID-19. By addressing the sociopolitical and environmental factors influencing health, Hotez advocates for proven strategies to improve international relations and public engagement, underscoring the urgency of embracing science in these challe
"By weaving his experiences with information on the rise of anti-science sentiment, how it was funneled into a movement, and how it has become a tool of far-right political figures around the world, the author opens readers' eyes to the dangerous world it creates. Even as he paints a picture of the world under a shadow of aggressive ignorance, he demonstrates his innate optimism, offering suggestions for how science denial can be met by other active scientists"--
