The Great Escape: A Review of Robert Fogel's The Escape from Hunger and Premature Death, 1700–2100
- 1 February 2006
- journal article
- review article
- Published by American Economic Association in Journal of Economic Literature
- Vol. 44 (1), 106-114
- https://doi.org/10.1257/002205106776162672
Abstract
In this essay, I review Robert Fogel's The Escape from Hunger and Premature Death, 1700–2100, which is concerned with the past, present, and future of human health. Fogel's work places great emphasis on nutrition, not only for the history of health, but for explaining aspects of current health, not only in comparing poor and rich countries, but in thinking about rich countries now and in the future. I discuss Fogel's analysis alongside alternative interpretations that place greater emphasis on the historical role of public health, and on the current and future role of improvements in medical technology.Keywords
Other Versions
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