Samuel H. Preston
The Changing Relation between Mortality and level of Economic Development
summary simple technique used shed light number questions influence economic level national mortality trends differentials scatterdiagrams crosssectional relation national income per head life expectancy developed three decades twentieth century relations established appear shift systematically century general order attain certain life expectancy 40 60 nation requires income level almost three times greater 1930s 1960s shift corroborated changing structure mortality cause death populations equivalent mortality levels magnitude shifts combined regional income data suggests 7590 per cent growth life expectancy world whole three decades attributable factors exogenous nations contemporary level income similar techniques improved nutrition higher literacy also ruled important contributors nevertheless crosssectional relation income life expectancy remains strong suggestion mortality responsive variations income levels among countries national incomes 400 1963 dollars 1930s however population size appears respond slowly mortality declines typically result irom income growth mortality effects present little impediment process economic development variability crosssectional mortalityincome relation doubtless due variation income distributions life expectancy venezuela mexico colombia countries wide disparities incomes falls short levels expected basis mean incomes hand life expectancy sovietbloc countries income equality expected greater average also falls short expected levels western nonwestern countries alike profited activity exogenous medical public health factors differences two types countries exaggerated concentration movements equivalent mortality levels rather equivalent time periods recent work historical demography suggests importance western mortality trends endogenous factors consequent rising standards living overstated earlier periods well