20th century/Infectious disease

Many diseases that killed by the millions were greatly reduced in the 20th century, with one notable achievement being the eradication of smallpox, and considerable progress being made toward the eradication of polio? (polio eradication being expected to be complete within the next decade) and guinea worm disease (expected to be eliminated everywhere except war-torn Sudan by 2002).

Other diseases, such as diptheria?, malaria, typhoid? fever and [whooping cough]? were greatly reduced throughout the world due to childhood immunisation? programs, improved sanitation?, and the use of antibiotics.

In the United States the death rate from pneumonia? and influenza? fell 93% in the 20th century; bronchitis? was once responsible for 3% of deaths in America - that figure has fallen to nearly one-tenth of 1%.

Death due to infectious disease declined because of a cleaner, healthier environment worldwide, advances in medical knowledge, and the economic expansion that made it possible to pay for these things.

At the close of the 20th century, major health risks remained. The greater mobility of people and agricultural products increased the probability that an outbreak could occur on a global scale. There was also the growing problem on antibiotic resistance. There were signigicant outbreaks of AIDS and Ebola?.

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