Extra life : a short history of living longer Cover Image

Large Print Book

Extra life : a short history of living longer / Steven Johnson.

Johnson, Steven, 1968- (author.).

Summary:

"As a species, humans have doubled their life expectancy in one hundred years. Medical breakthroughs, public health institutions, rising standards of living, and the other advances of modern life have given each person about 20,000 extra days on average. This book attempts to help the reader understand where that progress came from and what forces keep people alive longer. The author also considers how to avoid decreases in life expectancy as public health systems face unprecedented challenges, and what current technologies or interventions could reduce the impact of future crises"-- Provided by publisher.

Record details

ISBN: 9780593395691
ISBN: 0593395697
Physical Description: xl, 384 pages (large print) : illustrations ; 24 cm
Edition: First large print edition.
Publisher: New York : Random House Large Print, [2021]
Copyright: ©2021

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 341-355) and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

Introduction. Twenty thousand days -- The long ceiling: measuring life expectancy -- The catalogue of evils: variolation and vaccines -- Vital statistics: data and epidemiology -- Safe as milk: pasteurization and chlorination -- Beyond the placebo effect: drug regulation and testing -- The mold that changed the world: antibiotics -- Egg drops and rocket sleds: automobile and industrial safety -- Feed the world: the decline of famine -- Conclusion. Bhola Island, revisited.