The aspects of epidemiology are closely associated with the matters of epidemic spread, the control of the threat, or forecasts of the tendencies, associated with the common dangers for lives, caused by epidemics. As for the research by Mullan, who stated that the health care principles and epidemiology approaches of the ancient times were personified, it should be emphasized that the real value of these characters (either historical or fictional), differs essentially from the values of epidemiology studies. If considering them as the representatives of the medical spirit, and the entire principle of treating epidemics, they are too different from each other, while the approach towards curing diseases was common for all the countries of medieval Europe.
Surely, the comparison is unique and original, nevertheless, the stereotype of comparing should be mainly focused on the aspects of contemporary medicine and the principles of marketing management, associated with the health care. Thus, Robin Hood could be compared with UNO, which possesses an opportunity to take financial reserves and goods of the primary need from rich countries, and send the corresponding assistance to those who need it. (Bailey, Vardoulaki and Langham, 2005) Niccolo Machiavelli reminds the WHO, which is the realist in the sphere of global health care principles, and which outlines the key rules and regulations for controlling the global principles of curing deceases and coping with epidemic threats. As for Don Quixote, he may be compared with separate persons, who are idealizing the capabilities of global health care strategy, and who tries to find a devoted assistant for fighting with the windmills of health care, such as bureaucracy and similar issues. Nevertheless, these idealists often misunderstand the concept, stated by Mullan (2000):
The most unexpected aspect of the life of the public health official in recent years has been the resurgence of infectious disease. HIV/AIDS is the most prominent of the new infections, but the emergence of Legionnaire disease, hantavirus infections, toxic shock syndrome, viral hemorrhagic fevers, and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in today’s mobile and heavily populated world has recommissioned the contemporary health officer as a soldier in the war against infectious disease.
In the light of this statement, it should be emphasized that the original value of the provided concept is the attempt to categorize the principles of healthcare, and comparing them with the well known personalities, for the readers of the article could clearly realize the described context. Nevertheless, the reality of healthcare, and history of medicine is more complex than the key features of the historical or literary personalities. Consequently, the aspects of morbidity, mortality, disability and other aspects of epidemiology and global health care are not covered fully in the article. (Nutton, 2004)
Reference List
Bailey, L., Vardulaki, K., Langham, J., & Chandramohan, D. (2005). Introduction to Epidemiology. Maidenhead, England: Open University Press.
Mullan, F. (2000). Don Quixote, Machiavelli, and Robin Hood: Public health practice, past and present. American Journal of Public Health, 90, 702-706.
Nutton, V. (2004). Medicine, Society and Faith in the Ancient and Medieval Worlds. Medical History, 41(1), 100