Journal of Economic Literature
ISSN 0022-0515 (Print) | ISSN 2328-8175 (Online)
The Great Escape: A Review of Robert Fogel's The Escape from Hunger and Premature Death, 1700-2100
Journal of Economic Literature
vol. 44,
no. 1, March 2006
(pp. 106–114)
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.Citation
Deaton, Angus. 2006. "The Great Escape: A Review of Robert Fogel's The Escape from Hunger and Premature Death, 1700-2100." Journal of Economic Literature, 44 (1): 106–114. DOI: 10.1257/002205106776162672JEL Classification
- I10 Health: General
- I30 Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty: General
- J11 Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
- N30 Economic History: Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy: General, International, or Comparative