Histories of Health: ca. 1750-1950

Over the past two and a half centuries, the global population has witnessed significant improvements in health and longevity, with life expectancy at birth more than doubling in many regions. This transformation ranks among the greatest achievements in human history.

This volume brings together studies that reveal the complexity behind this transformation and provide a broad exploration of how these histories of health have evolved across different social and geographic contexts. The contributions explore how mortality and morbidity were recorded, understood, and experienced, focusing on the roles of social class, migration status, and sex, as well as demographic shifts and local conditions in shaping patterns of infant, childhood, and adult mortality.

Collectively, these studies demonstrate that the history of health cannot be understood as a straightforward narrative of continuous linear progress. Instead, they demonstrate it is a multifaceted process marked by societal challenges, unequal access to resources, and ongoing efforts by individuals and communities to adapt and survive in a changing world.

To access individual chapters, please visit Historical Life Course Studies.