Hygieia says but of course, and bows to Thomas McKeown

[oursin]

Via something that was being circulated at work yesterday: The Changing Body: Health, Nutrition, and Human Development in the Western World since 1700:

Humans have become much taller and heavier, and experience healthier and longer lives than ever before in human history. However it is only recently that historians, economists, human biologists and demographers have linked the changing size, shape and capability of the human body to economic and demographic change. This fascinating and groundbreaking book presents an accessible introduction to the field of anthropometric history, surveying the causes and consequences of changes in health and mortality, diet and the disease environment in Europe and the United States since 1700. It examines how we define and measure health and nutrition as well as key issues such as whether increased longevity contributes to greater productivity or, instead, imposes burdens on society through the higher costs of healthcare and pensions. The result is a major contribution to economic and social history with important implications for today's developing world and the health trends of the future.

Useful article about it in The Independent draws out the really significant role of diet and sanitation.

Compare/contract this column on the outcome of all that much trumpeted and very expensive work on the human genome:

Among all the genetic findings for common illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer and mental illnesses, only a handful are of genuine significance for human health. Faulty genes rarely cause, or even mildly predispose us, to disease, and as a consequence the science of human genetics is in deep crisis.
....
[D]espite more than 700 genome-scanning publications and nearly $100bn spent, geneticists still had not found more than a fractional genetic basis for human disease.

Humanities and history for the win?

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And in other news:

Lucy Mangan raves over A Game of Kings.

Deadly false morel fungus is discovered living on Hampstead Heath - previously unknown in London

Via heleninwales, yet more interior designery book ponceyness

And, if you can help in this dire situation by buying a book from Norilana Press or passing this on, please do.