Oct 26

Oct 26 When Will Pandemics Get the Attention They Deserve?

(photo credit: Asylum Entertainment)

Last year the world watched in horror as an Ebola outbreak spread across part of the African continent.

Through my work with ONE, I was well educated in what was going on, how it is spread and proper level of concerns.

Sadly though, I wonder if enough people realize that it is isn't a matter of if we'll ever have to deal with an outbreak growing into a pandemic, but when?

On Sunday, November 1 at 9 pm ET on National Geographic Channel they will be premiering "Breakthrough: Fighting Pandemics."

To raise awareness for the show, they are asking bloggers like myself to answer the question of:

Historical records show that another pandemic will occur, but no one knows when. How do we create a mind shift among world leaders and people in general to start planning for the next one now?

Sadly, I think it is going to take an outbreak on our own soil before we start paying attention.

Africa is a far away place and most people think that just because something like this happens there, it would never make it to our shores.

I wish I had a more optimistic outlook on this, but I don't. With so many other issues to tackle, this one I fear won't be truly addressed until it is too late. Hopefully it will be dealt with after an outbreak and not a full blown pandemic.

I'm eager to watch this new show and to see how people like Dr. Maria Croyle, who has developed a revolutionary way to introduce an Ebola vaccine into a common cold virus, are working to make sure that our world is as safe as possible.