Life, Death & Arithmetic
THE MEASLES VACCINE IS incredibly effective, yet recurrences and outbreaks abound. Samoa is currently undergoing an outbreak with thousands infected, and in 2019, the United States had the most cases reported since 1992. What can we do about it? In this excerpt from his new book, The Math of Life & Death: 7 Mathematical Principles that Shape Our Lives, mathematical biologist Kit Yates explains how everyone has a part to play in the wider context of public health. Increasing the vaccination rate allows vaccines to prevent deadly illnesses. By understanding the mathematical principles behind disease prevention, the public can better protect themselves from disease.
SOMETIMES MATH REALLY IS A MATTER of life and death, particularly when it comes to the outbreak of a deadly disease and the strategies to control it. As well as helping us to understand the unusual features of different disease landscapes, mathematical
