Samuel H. Preston
The changing relation between mortality and level of economic development
influence economic conditions mortality recognized least since biblical times empiricism casual sort sufficient establish link food supply mortality components living standards shelter living space awaited revolution scientific method influence finally acknowledged recent years witnessed movement away economic determinism mortality analysis widely believed mortality become increasingly dissociated economic level diffusion medical health technologies facilities personnel occurred large part independently economic level yet position critics gained sympathetic audience paper utilizes readily available evidence new obvious way estimate relative contribution economic factors increases life expectancy twentieth century evidence consists crosssectional relationships national life expectancies national income per head evaluated three different decades twentieth century relationships used assess realism certain economicdemographic models reexamine become classical distinctions regarding sources mortality declines western nonwestern areas excerpt