What historic period is associated with rapid urbanization and increased disease due to poor infrastructure?

The period known as the Industrial Revolution is marked by significant advancements in technology and manufacturing, leading to rapid urbanization as populations moved from rural areas to cities in search of employment opportunities. This mass migration contributed to overcrowded living conditions, inadequate sanitation, and a lack of proper infrastructure. As cities expanded rapidly, there was often insufficient planning to accommodate the growing number of inhabitants, resulting in poor housing and health conditions.

During this time, infectious diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, and tuberculosis became widespread, largely due to contaminated water supplies and unsanitary practices in densely populated urban areas. The connection between urbanization and these public health crises emphasized the need for improved sanitation and health measures, ultimately influencing public health policies and reforms.

In contrast, the Great Depression was primarily an economic downturn with different social issues, while the Progressive Era focused on social reform and addressing issues that arose from industrialization but occurred slightly later. The Roaring Twenties, characterized by economic prosperity and cultural change, did not experience the same level of rapid urbanization or disease outbreaks related to inadequate infrastructure as seen during the Industrial Revolution.