Ideas worth spreading

Lessons from the 1918 flu

838,391 views | Laurie Garrett • TED2007

In 2007, as the world worried about a possible avian flu epidemic, Laurie Garrett, author of "The Coming Plague," gave this powerful talk to a small TED University audience. Her insights from past pandemics are suddenly more relevant than ever.

In 2007, as the world worried about a possible avian flu epidemic, Laurie Garrett, author of "The Coming Plague," gave this powerful talk to a small TED University audience. Her insights from past pandemics are suddenly more relevant than ever.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

Laurie Garrett

Science journalist

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Pulitzer winner Laurie Garrett studies global health and disease prevention. Her books include "The Coming Plague" and "Betrayal of Trust," about the crisis in global public health.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.