Nobel laureate Robert Fogel's compelling study, first published in 2004, examines health, nutrition and technology over the last three centuries and beyond. Throughout most of human history, chronic malnutrition has been the norm. During the past three centuries, however, a synergy between improvements in productive technology and in human physiology has enabled humans to more than double their average longevity and to increase their average body size by over 50 per cent. Larger, healthier humans have contributed to the acceleration of economic growth and technological change, resulting in reduced economic inequality, declining hours of work and a corresponding increase in leisure time. Increased longevity has also brought increased demand for health care. Professor Fogel argues that health care should be viewed as the growth industry of the twenty-first century and systems of financing it should be reformed. His book will be essential reading for all those interested in economics, demography, history and health care policy.

In this study, first published in 2004, Nobel laureate Robert Fogel examines health, nutrition and technology over the last three centuries.

About the Author
Robert William Fogel won the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1993. He is the Charles R. Walgreen Distinguished Service Professor of American Institutions in the Graduate School of Business and Director of the Center for Population Economics in the University of Chicago. His numerous publications include Time on the Cross: The Economics of Negro Slavery (with Stanley L. Engerman) and The Fourth Great Awakening and the Futureof Egalitarianism.

Reviews
'Escape from Hunger is without a doubt one of Fogel's masterworks. Written in an accessible style, it is ideal for use in higher-level undergraduate and graduate courses.' Cormac Ograda, University College, Dublin (EH.HET)
'This book is the result of impressively thorough research of an equally impressive amount of material. ... This book is easily accessible and will be very valuable to scholars in disciplines including, but not limited to, demography, economic history and medicine. A useful glossary and biographical summaries contribute to make this a valuable addition to the literature.' Journal of Peace Research
'... Robert W. Fogel has written a fascinating book ... a remarkable conglomerate of profound knowledge ...' Journal of Biosocial Science
'... essential and exciting book ...' History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences



Book Information
ISBN 9780521004886
Author Robert William Fogel
Format Paperback
Page Count 216
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 294g
Dimensions(mm) 228mm * 154mm * 15mm