A history of population health
rise and fall of disease in Europe
Bände/Inhalt:
- Preface - 1. Introduction - Part 1: Long-term trends: a bird's eye view. 2. Long-term trends in population health - 3. Understanding trends in population health - Part 2: Zooming in: the rise and fall of diseases. 4. Health problems of pre-industrial societies - 6. Health problems of affluent societies - Part 3: Synthesis and outlook. 7. Why? - 8. Outlook
- In A History of Population Health Johan P. Mackenbach offers a broad-sweeping study of the spectacular changes in people's health in Europe since the early 18th century. Most of the 40 specific diseases covered in this book show a fascinating pattern of 'rise-and-fall', with large differences in timing between countries. Using a unique collection of historical data and bringing together insights from demography, economics, sociology, political science, medicine, epidemiology and general history, it shows that these changes and variations did not occur spontaneously, but were mostly man-made. Throughout European history, changes in health and longevity were therefore closely related to economic, social, and political conditions, with public health and medical care both making important contributions to population health improvement.