- Overview
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Hong Yun-Chul, the chair of the WHO Policy Advisory Board and professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine in Korea talks about what and how nations, cities, and societies should prepare themselves in the pandemic era.
- Book Intro
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As COVID-19 uncontrollably spread to all of the continents, World Health Organization declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020. It was the 3rd pandemic, following the Hong Kong flu in 1968 and the novel influenza in 2009. Viruses’ attacks not only risk physical health of the human race but also bring about social and economic chaos and crises, and may bring humankind to an end unawares. Then, what should we know about viruses and how should we prepare ourselves for their attacks?
Professor Hong Yun-Chul of Seoul National University College of Medicine has conducted in-depth research on viruses since the MERS outbreak in South Korea in 2015. The Pandemic is a fruition of Professor Hong’s three year-long research.
An answer key to a pandemic era for the survival of society, economy, and humankind.
Since the 2015 MERS outbreak in South Korea, Professor Hong has conducted research on how to control viruses and diseases in terms of socio-economic survival strategies and policy plans. Professor Hong has become keenly aware of the importance of public health services and the systematization of health services. The Pandemic is a fruition of his three year-long research and an innovative solution to survive in a pandemic era.
According to Professor Hong, in order to compete with and survive among viruses, we need to consider both microscopic and macroscopic approaches. Microscopically, it is necessary to develop individual body immunity to the viruses. Macroscopically, we need to build a health care system that can effectively deal with viruses’ attacks. Analyzing both the history of viruses that have affected humans and the current health crisis, Professor Hong claims that the survival of humankind is not a problem of individuals but rather one of the public, as historically, deadly diseases and epidemics were closely related to cities. He says that it is necessary to establish a proper public immune system in order to avoid suffering from unnecessary illness and death. When we draw a virtuous circle following the steps of the pandemic survival strategy that is suggested by the book, we will ultimately be able to establish a healthy city, a healthy nation, and a healthy society.
Chapter 1. Viruses’ Attack: What Should We Know?
Chapter 2. Viruses’ Attack: How Should We Prepare Ourselves?
Chapter 3. Pandemic Survival Solution: Hygeia, Healthy City
- About the Author
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Hong Yun Chul
After graduating from Seoul National University's medical school, he obtained qualifications as a specialist in family medicine, preventive medicine, and occupational environmental medicine.
He is head of the Public Health Service Division at Seoul National University Hospital, currently working as a professor of preventive medicine at Seoul National University College of Medicine.
He teaches students the subject "Human, Social and Medical" and has published books “The Origin of Diseases” and “The Changing Era of Diseases”; they have been translated into English and published abroad.
He has published more than 300 papers in international journals, and he is currently a member of the Korean Academy of Medicine and the Korean Academy of Science and Technology, and also a member of the WHO policy advisory committee of the World Health Organization.
- Recommendation
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"Kim Yeon-Su, MD., Director of Seoul National University Hospital, 2020. Regardless of national boundaries or race, a pandemic periodically breaks out. Creating a safe and healthy society is one of the most important things for us to do for ourselves and for future generations. A pandemic affects not only our human body but also our entire economic system. In particular, when the world suffers from a widespread epidemic, global economic crisis is inevitable without thorough preparations. Dr. Hong Yun-Chul’s Pandemic thoroughly examines conditions of a sustainable future society in terms of socio-economic and preventive medicinal aspects. It is a must-read. "
