Evolution ofModern Medicine

Evolution of Modern Medicine
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Evolution of modern medicine
Medicine has been subject to evolution for a very time. This has played a significant role in improving the services offered to patients. Some of the diseases which were epidemic and could not be treated have either found a cure or vaccines. In the 1960’s, kidney dialysis went through significant developments, and patients who could have indeed died without this development had a lifeline for survival. There have been more developments overtime with surgery being one of the most outstanding ones. More surgical operations have been carried out on areas of the body which were rarely considered before the cold war. This paper, therefore, talks about the history of medicine starting from the cold war era to date.
The cold war was a critical time in the history of medicine. After penicillin had proved successful in the war, it triggered researchers to find better and more modern medication. Streptomycin was one of these and was more superior to penicillin since it could treat more diseases which penicillin could not (Ringgaard, 2014). Since then there have been rapid and important developments in the world of medicine. For instance, there was the development of various vaccines that led to the extinction of certain diseases such as polio and smallpox. Even the emergent diseases such as HIV and AIDS that emerged in the 1980s have been dealt with effectively thanks to the endless advancement in the field of scientific research.

Currently, the world is faced by the upsurge of cancers and other deadly viruses such as SARs and Ebola, but with the numerous scientific developments, these medical predicaments will be effectively dealt with.
Modern medicine has brought many positive changes to the scene, just as it has brought a few problems too. There is a high use of antibiotics in the world which has led to people developing resistance (Ringgaard, 2014). Medicine has also been pivotal in bringing about longer lifespans, but with this, it has brought high cases of degenerative conditions such as dementia and the Alzheimer’s disease.
The development of medicine as a profession dates back to the 1600’s, but it made significant strides after the cold war. For instance, it is during this period that Health Social Movements began and led a concerted political fight meant to ensure that people can have access to quality health care services (Brown & Zavestoski, 2004). The emergence of health social movements has become an essential factor in the shaping of social policy and regulation. Health social movements are necessary for protecting medicine as a profession.
In conclusion, the field of medicine has made significant development since its inception in the 1600s. This paper looks at its development starting from the Cold War period in the 1960s to date. It briefly details how it has revolutionized over time with the aim of enhancing and improving human life.
References
Brown, P., & Zavestoski, S. (2004). Social movements in health: an introduction. Sociology Of Health And Illness, 26(6), 679-694. doi: 10.1111/j.0141-9889.2004.00413.x
Ringgaard, A. (2014). What are the major challenges to modern medicine?. Retrieved from http://sciencenordic.com/what-are-major-challenges-modern-medicine