Medicine
Epidemiological Transition and Its Public Health Implications
Quick fact
In the early 20th century, infectious diseases like pneumonia, tuberculosis, and diarrhea were the top causes of death in the United States, but by the end of the century, chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer had taken over, even as life expectancy rose from about 47 years to nearly 77 years.
Why this is interesting
Imagine a world where the biggest killers are invisible to the naked eye, yet over time they are replaced by threats you may live with for decades. How did humanity trade one set of diseases for another?