Overview
This comprehensive analysis of COVID-19 draws on the Iceberg Framework—a modified systems thinking model—to examine the deeper forces that shaped the pandemic's trajectory, from structural inequities and institutional fragility to shifting mental models and global behavioral patterns. Authored by a former Taiwanese Minister of Health and an experienced health system leader, the book combines personal insight with international perspective, offering historical context, contemporary data, and strategic foresight. It situates COVID-19 among history's deadliest pandemics while critically exploring the events, systemic structures, and cultural responses that influenced the crisis. Structured in four parts, the book journeys from echoes of past pandemics and variant-driven disruptions to the hidden foundations of public health responses, culminating in a forward-looking reflection on how COVID-19 has reshaped our understanding of pandemic risk and resilience, while also offering readers a framework for enhanced preparedness in an era of converging global threats. Timely, accessible, and analytically rigorous, Decoding the Pandemic is essential reading for students, researchers, and practitioners in public health, epidemiology, global health policy, and systems science—anyone seeking to understand not just what happened, but why, and what must change before the next pandemic arrives.
Full Product Details
Author: Wen-Ta Chiu ,
Jonathan Wu
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint: Routledge
Weight: 0.453kg
ISBN: 9781032983806
ISBN 10: 1032983809
Pages: 392
Publication Date: 17 November 2025
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Tertiary & Higher Education
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming
Availability: Not yet available
This item is yet to be released. You can pre-order this item and we will dispatch it to you upon its release.
Reviews
""A comprehensive and insightful analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic's first five years."" — Dr. Matthew Lin, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary and Director of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ""A great contribution to physicians, offering clarity and perspective on protecting the communities they serve during a pandemic."" — Dr. Kenneth Sim, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Astrana Health ""A well-researched, systems-level perspective on pandemic resilience, offering practical value for healthcare leaders managing operational and strategic response."" — Ms. Linda Marsh, Senior Executive Vice President, AHMC Healthcare ""A thoughtful and globally relevant guide for healthcare leaders navigating the complexities of pandemic planning, communication, and clinical coordination."" — Dr. Alex Chiu, Former President, North America Taiwanese Medical Association ""An invaluable resource for ER physicians and hospital administrators facing pandemic-related challenges."" — Dr. Stanley Toy, CEO, Greater El Monte Community Hospital; Emergency Physician ""An in-depth exploration of future pandemic risks and the critical lessons learned from COVID-19."" — Dr. Mike Ly, Surveyor for The Joint Commission; Infectious Disease Specialist ""An essential synthesis of frontline knowledge and public health insight, reflecting lessons drawn from over 130 COVID-related CME sessions and clinical discussions."" — Dr. Basil Vassantachart, CME Program Director, Alhambra Hospital Medical Center; Family Physician ""Offers clear, experience-based insights into the evolving challenges of critical care during the pandemic—especially valuable for ICU clinicians and hospital planners."" — Dr. Joseph Kuei, Director of Critical Care; Pulmonologist ""An essential guide for family physicians navigating the challenges of pandemic management."" — Dr. Josephine Chen, Former CMO, Garfield Medical Center; President of Taipei Medical University Alumni Association; Family Physician ""An informative and engaging narrative that skillfully weaves together history, science, and policy to offer lasting insights into the pandemic and future preparedness."" — Professor Fu-Tong Liu, Academician and Research Fellow, Academia Sinica; Dermatologist ""A timely and deeply informed contribution that distills five years of pandemic experience into clear, actionable insights for the global health community."" — Dr. Yun Yen, Former Research Director, City of Hope; Former President, Taipei Medical University; Oncologist
Author Information
Wen-Ta Chiu serves as Co-CEO of AHMC Health System and is the former Taiwan Health Minister and President of Taipei Medical University. A Stanford Fellow with a DrPH from the University of Pittsburgh, he led COVID-19 response efforts across ten hospitals. From 2011 to 2014, he represented Taiwan at the World Health Assembly for four consecutive years, delivering speeches on global health priorities. His leadership has been recognized with 25 awards, including the American Public Health Association’s David P. Rall Award. Jonathan Wu is a prominent medical leader in the United States and founder of AHMC Health System, a network of ten hospitals in California. Under his leadership, AHMC has expanded to include a cancer center, a health insurance company, and long-term care facilities. Dr. Wu also founded Alhambra Medical University and has supported the development of California Northstate University. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was recognized by a U.S. Congress member as a “Hometown Hero of the Pandemic” for his contributions to public health and community support.
