To Save Humanity: What Matters Most for a Healthy Future

by Julio Frenk

The UN was not created to take mankind to heaven, but to save humanity from hell." --Dag Hammarskjold, United Nations Secretary-General 1953-1961 The turn of the 21st century was an objective low point in the history of human AIDS was scourging Africa, millions of women died each year in child birth, and billions suffered under malnourishment and poverty. In response, the United Nations launched its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), an ambitious charter that since 2000 has measurably reduced the worldwide burdens of poverty, hunger, and disease. With the MDGs set to expire in 2015, continued progress on these fronts is anything but certain. In addition to the persisting threats of the 20th century, globalization has sped the development of new threats--pandemics, climate change, chronic disease--that now threaten rich and poor countries equally. "To Save Humanity" is a collection of short, honest essays on what single issue matters most for the future of global health. Authored by the world's leading voices from science, politics, and social advocacy, this collection is both a primer on the major issues of our time and a potential blueprint for post-2015 health and development. This unparalleled collection will provide illuminating and thought-provoking reading for anyone invested in our collective future and well-being.

Hardcover

First published April 23, 2015

Reviews

[asih simanis · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first I was excited to hear voices of a 100 of the most influential people in global health, but after reading about a dozen of the essays presented, I realized that although the lay out of a 3-page-essay-for-each-person sounds like a good idea, it really isn't.

Through the 3 page essays, almost nobody was able to dive into the details on what they really think or what they've really done, instead with every essay at least one page is wasted for general framing that after reading 20 such similar ideas in the same book just sounds redundant. I did however got introduced to some interesting people through this book and I will definitely look for more solid content from those particular people in the future.

[L.e. Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok, some essays where good some essays where hard to take in but mostly it was a good read. (And some essays are edited.)