Extra life : a short history of living longer /
Johnson, Steven
Extra life : a short history of living longer / Steven Johnson - New York : Riverhead Books, c2021 - xxxiv, 284 pages : illustrations ; 21 cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Introduction: Twenty thousand days -- 1. The long ceiling: measuring life expectancy -- 2. The catalogue of evils: variolation and vaccines -- 3. Vital statistics: data and epidemiology -- 4. Safe as milk: pasteurization and chlorination -- 5. Beyond the placebo effect: drug regulation and testing -- 6. The mold that changed the world: antibiotics -- 7. Egg drops and rocket sleds: automobile and industrial safety -- 8. Feed the world: the decline of famine -- Conclusion: Bhola Island, revisited -- Acknowledgements -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index.
"Extra Life is Steven Johnson’s attempt to understand where that progress came from, telling the epic story of one of humanity’s greatest achievements. How many of those extra years came from vaccines, or the decrease in famines, or seatbelts? What are the forces that now keep us alive longer? Behind each breakthrough lies an inspiring story of cooperative innovation, of brilliant thinkers bolstered by strong systems of public support and collaborative networks, and of dedicated activists fighting for meaningful reform." -- Back cover
9780525538868
PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE--HISTORY
LIFE EXPECTANCY--HISTORY
DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE--HISTORY
SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS--HISTORY
TECHNOLOGY--HISTORY
RA 418 .J64 2021
Extra life : a short history of living longer / Steven Johnson - New York : Riverhead Books, c2021 - xxxiv, 284 pages : illustrations ; 21 cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Introduction: Twenty thousand days -- 1. The long ceiling: measuring life expectancy -- 2. The catalogue of evils: variolation and vaccines -- 3. Vital statistics: data and epidemiology -- 4. Safe as milk: pasteurization and chlorination -- 5. Beyond the placebo effect: drug regulation and testing -- 6. The mold that changed the world: antibiotics -- 7. Egg drops and rocket sleds: automobile and industrial safety -- 8. Feed the world: the decline of famine -- Conclusion: Bhola Island, revisited -- Acknowledgements -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index.
"Extra Life is Steven Johnson’s attempt to understand where that progress came from, telling the epic story of one of humanity’s greatest achievements. How many of those extra years came from vaccines, or the decrease in famines, or seatbelts? What are the forces that now keep us alive longer? Behind each breakthrough lies an inspiring story of cooperative innovation, of brilliant thinkers bolstered by strong systems of public support and collaborative networks, and of dedicated activists fighting for meaningful reform." -- Back cover
9780525538868
PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE--HISTORY
LIFE EXPECTANCY--HISTORY
DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE--HISTORY
SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS--HISTORY
TECHNOLOGY--HISTORY
RA 418 .J64 2021
