Since the end of World War II, the world has transformed in profound, far-reaching ways. The dismantling of European empires after the war led to decolonization, and the realignment of WWII allies led to conflict between superpowers. As the Cold War heated up, two ideologies—capitalism and communism—shaped daily life and international affairs. And as it wound down, a tidal wave of globalization wrought new avenues for growth but new sources of conflict—between the wealthy and the poor, between the Global South and the Global North. The Making of the Modern World: 1945 to the Present offers students an accessible guide to these transformations. In a compelling narrative style, the human story of our planet’s most recent history comes to life. This volume, Health and Medicine, charts how progress was made in treating and promoting humanity’s well-being following World War II. Health care was critical during and after the war, as diseases like tuberculosis spread rampantly. It was also shaped by the Cold War—including advances in nuclear medicine arising from weapons research. Efforts at expanding health care in developing countries and confronting diseases in wealthier nations, such as obesity, are also covered, as are the ways the world community has responded to crises, such as AIDS, Ebola, and the Zika virus.
