BOX WO-2Factors in the Emergence of Infectious Diseases

Thirteen factors of emergence of infectious diseases were elucidated in a 2003 Institute of Medicine report, Microbial Threats to Health: Emergence, Detection, and Response:

  • Microbial adaptation and change
  • Human susceptibility to infection
  • Climate and weather
  • Changing ecosystems
  • Human demographics and behavior
  • Economic development and land use
  • International travel and commerce
  • Technology and industry
  • Breakdown of public health measures
  • Poverty and social inequality
  • War and famine
  • Lack of political will
  • Intent to harm

SOURCE: IOM (2003).

From: Workshop Overview

Cover of Fungal Diseases
Fungal Diseases: An Emerging Threat to Human, Animal, and Plant Health: Workshop Summary.
Institute of Medicine (US) Forum on Microbial Threats.
Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2011.
Copyright © 2011, National Academy of Sciences.

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