I think ‘which interest groups benefited’ is the wrong question; scientists and public health officials sincerely and incorrectly believed that they understood what was going on, and were attempting to and largely succeeding in controlling infectious disease and saving many, many lives.
Remember that over this same period, this field controlled malaria in most developed countries (and we’re making good progress on the rest), banished the scourge of Polio (also close to eradication!), and eradicated smallpox worldwide.
It can’t possibly be 100%, which interest groups specifically benefited from this?
I think ‘which interest groups benefited’ is the wrong question; scientists and public health officials sincerely and incorrectly believed that they understood what was going on, and were attempting to and largely succeeding in controlling infectious disease and saving many, many lives.
Remember that over this same period, this field controlled malaria in most developed countries (and we’re making good progress on the rest), banished the scourge of Polio (also close to eradication!), and eradicated smallpox worldwide.
I appreciate the elaboration on the quoted point, it still seems like it can’t possibly be 100%.