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Arnold Kling
PERMANENT LINK | JANUARY 5, 2002

Longevity in the United States

Arnold Kling, Great Questions of Economics
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Longevity is one indicator that shows us to be rich. Long Live Us, a piece by Diane Katz for National Review Online says

Americans are living longer than at any time in history -- 76.9 years, on average...Life expectancy in America circa 1900 was a mere 48 years (an improvement, nonetheless, over the Stone Age's typical 25-year lifespan).

She argues that this is due to progress "fueled by free minds and free markets." She cites other indicators of progress against disease and infant mortality.

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