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Prevention Paradox in Coronary Heart Disease

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Book cover Biological and Psychological Factors in Cardiovascular Disease

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Abstract

National crises or catastrophes not only arouse emotions but also lead to discoveries and innovations, usually because of astute observations and scientific enquiries made by a few individuals. The media and politics also play their part, and the entire process eventually ensures that further catastrophes are prevented, or at least their impact on society is softened. For example, the thalidomide tragedy affected 500 babies in the UK. The media sensationalized the reports, arousing public sympathy for the victims; this led to massive compensation from the drug company, in addition to the establishment, in 1964, of the Committee on Safety of Drugs. The loss of 4000 lives during the intense fog of London in December 1952 aroused public opinion and political debates which resulted in the Clean Air Act of 1956. Similar catastrophes — like infectious disease epidemics, road accidents, train or plane crashes, diseases resulting from industrial or occupational exposures — have led to the discovery of antibiotics, mass immunisation, numerous safety regulations, stronger legal action concerning drinking and driving, and compulsory seat belt wearing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Community Medicine, University College and Middlesex Hospital Medical School, 66-72 Gower Street, London, WC1E 6EA, Great Britain

    C. Patel

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  1. C. Patel
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Abteilung Epidemiologie und Sozialmedizin, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Konstanty-Gutschow-Straße, 3000, Hannover 61, Germany

    Thomas H. Schmidt

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Cantonsville, MD, 21228, USA

    Theodore M. Dembroski

  3. Klinik Roderbirken, 5653, Leichlingen/Rhld. 1, Germany

    Gerhard Blümchen

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© 1986 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Patel, C. (1986). Prevention Paradox in Coronary Heart Disease. In: Schmidt, T.H., Dembroski, T.M., Blümchen, G. (eds) Biological and Psychological Factors in Cardiovascular Disease. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-71234-0_34

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-71234-0_34

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-71236-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-71234-0

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