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Public Response to Infectious Disease
The spread of infectious diseases in relation to society and culture can be related to multiple aspects of the disease – one being the public response to that disease. How the public handles a disease outbreak can directly influence the spread of that disease. Here, it is discussed using research and articles how different public responses have historically influenced a disease. This research contributes to how infections can be spread in relation to the public's response and how, ultimately, the public can learn from past diseases and decrease the spread of infection.

Contribution
Public response to infectious diseases have been researched to be directly related to the spread of that disease. For example, both an under reaction and overreaction can alter the way a disease spreads. If one were to under react to a disease, they may not take the correct precautions needed to prevent the spread of the disease. If one were to overreact to a disease, they may spread false information and dramatize the proper public health behaviors that would inevitably do more harm than good (Lu).

An accurate way of ensuring one is spreading correct health behaviors for a disease is to abide by sanitary regulations that were found effective by scientists. A person’s response to the advice given by scientists can also influence the spread of disease. If a population does not believe what a scientist says about a disease, then they would be less apt to abide by the regulations set forth and, therefore, increase the spread of infections (Evans). One’s health behaviors is a direct influence on the spread of any disease. If one were to abide by health standards and behaviors that are set, then it would directly decrease the spread of disease (Brady).

Public responses also vary within different cultural settings. For example, the spread of sexually transmitted diseases may vary from different locations. Every culture has its own cultural standards regarding sexual behavior. This is true for any disease, every culture will have a different lifestyle that will influence infections. This is one way different public responses can dramatically change the spread of a disease (Gil). The opinions made by the public under the influence of scientists and societal standards influences the population’s health behaviors and, ultimately, that response and action will directly influence the spread of disease.