Handbook

Pandemics, and infectious disease outbreaks more generally, are a growing source of public concern and controversy. The media are continually accused of exaggerating concerns, and the actions of public health authorities are constantly publically scrutinised. What questions should the public be asking of public health responses to infectious disease, and what can public health authorities do to connect with the general public and gain their trust? This course will introduce you to social scientific research with relevance to the social and political aspects of infectious disease control. You will be introduced to some key social scientific concepts used to understand the challenges public health authorities face in trying to garner public trust; and you will be introduced to social scientific research that can inform responses to actual and potential pandemics. You will draw on these concepts and this research to critically engage with media and public discussion of pandemics.