Jeremy Smith presents "Epic Measures"

In an intriguing and very readable look into the world of international health statistics, acclaimed journalist and science writer Jeremy Smith chronicles the career of Christopher Murray as he and a varying group of colleagues seek to gain a truer understanding of how we live and how we die through the Global Burden of Disease study. “Epic Measures” is the true story of a 20 year, 500 scientist attempt to track and quantify every illness, injury and death for everyone on earth, the biggest of big data collection ever.

Murray argues that the ideal existence isn’t simply the longest life but the one lived well and with the least illness. Challenging the accepted wisdom of WHO and the UN, the charismatic and controversial health maniac has made enemies as well as some influential friends, including Bill Gates who gave Murray a100 million dollar grant.

Murray’s story encompasses wars and famines, presidents and activists, billionaires and billions of people worldwide living in poverty.  His determination to improve global health standards has already changed the way the world addresses issues of health and wellness, sets policy and distributes funding.

 One striking example of the effects of Murray’s work on the burden of disease is Mexico. In 2000, Julio Frenk took over as Minister of Health of Mexico. At that time about 50 million people were without health care (about the same as the US). Supported by data from Murray’s burden of disease study, Frenk proposed a new insurance plan, Segura Popular. Coverage was extensive and more than doubled the budget but the drag on the national economy by doing nothing was greater yet.   Increased productivity by a healthier population would improve tax revenue and eventually negate the cost of the insurance.   It took until March 2012 for Mexico to achieve universal coverage

 The final chapter (Afterword) of “Epic Measures” discusses how to live a longer and healthier life according to the Global Burden of Disease.

 Jeremy Smith is a 2000 graduate of Harvard and received his MFA from the University of Montana in 2005.  He has worked as a NASA funded astronomer, was an assistant to a Hollywood movie producer and also a computer programmer and cartoonist.  Born and raised in Evanston, Ill., he lives in Missoula with his wife and daughter. His first book “Growing a Garden City” was one of Booklists top 10 books on the environment in 2011 and was featured at the Open Book Club in 2012.   

Join us again to hear Jeremy Smith read from “Epic Measures.”  The Open Book Club is free, everyone welcome.