Immunity
The body’s resistance to disease
Real World Example
During the period of Slavery from 1650 to 1860, European colonizers noticed that African slaves often had immunity to diseases like malaria and yellow fever, which devastated European settlers and Native Americans. This immunity made African slaves particularly valuable in the Americas, where these diseases were prevalent, and influenced the expansion of the transatlantic slave trade. The concept of immunity responded to the need for a labor force that could withstand the harsh conditions and health challenges of the New World. Today, immunity remains crucial as it protects individuals from diseases, influencing public health strategies like vaccinations. For example, getting a flu shot boosts your immunity, helping prevent illness in yourself and reducing the spread of flu to more vulnerable people around you, such as infants and the elderly.
