Health, Mortality and the Standard of Living in Europe and North America Since 1700

These two volumes bring together important and influential articles and papers on different aspects of the history of health and welfare. The collection includes classic and more recent essays on the origins and nature of mortality decline; the early-life origins of adult health and disease; changes in height, weight and body mass; the definition and measurement of the 'standard of living'; and the economic and social impact of health improvements. As leading authorities in their field, the editors have provided an original introduction, which offers an essential guide to the debates about the causes and consequences of the decline of mortality and the improvement of human health over the last three centuries.