The study explores the relationship between pathogen prevalence and cultural values, specifically individualism and collectivism. The authors hypothesize that regions with a higher historical prevalence of pathogens will exhibit more collectivistic cultural values, while regions with lower pathogen prevalence will show more individualistic values. Using epidemiological data and cross-national surveys, they find strong positive correlations between historical pathogen prevalence and collectivism, and strong negative correlations with individualism. These findings suggest that the behavioral manifestations of collectivism, such as ethnocentrism and conformity, may serve as effective antipathogen defenses, particularly in regions with a higher historical prevalence of pathogens. The results also highlight the importance of pathogen prevalence in explaining cross-cultural differences in various aspects of human society, including cuisine, marriage structures, parenting practices, and mate preferences. The study's implications extend to understanding the correlation between individualism/collectivism and factors like economic development, latitude, and personality traits.The study explores the relationship between pathogen prevalence and cultural values, specifically individualism and collectivism. The authors hypothesize that regions with a higher historical prevalence of pathogens will exhibit more collectivistic cultural values, while regions with lower pathogen prevalence will show more individualistic values. Using epidemiological data and cross-national surveys, they find strong positive correlations between historical pathogen prevalence and collectivism, and strong negative correlations with individualism. These findings suggest that the behavioral manifestations of collectivism, such as ethnocentrism and conformity, may serve as effective antipathogen defenses, particularly in regions with a higher historical prevalence of pathogens. The results also highlight the importance of pathogen prevalence in explaining cross-cultural differences in various aspects of human society, including cuisine, marriage structures, parenting practices, and mate preferences. The study's implications extend to understanding the correlation between individualism/collectivism and factors like economic development, latitude, and personality traits.