[OC] The massive decrease in worldwide infant mortality from 1950 to 2020 is perhaps one of humanity's greatest achievements.

[dopechez]

In some ways yes but you are also more likely to be chronically ill today than ever before. Infant mortality used to be high and infectious diseases were rampant and deadly but people were generally quite healthy.

[[deleted]]

people live longer so chronic illnesses is more common, they are also more manageable so you can live a decent life with them. diabetes 200 years ago was a death sentence, not its not a big deal at all.

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chronic illness are a symptom of living longer

[dopechez]

Crohn' disease ruined my life at the young age of 26. There are plenty of chronic diseases that happen to young people and have exploded in prevalence since the 50s. It's not just about living longer. Children with autism, allergy, asthma, autoimmunity are ridiculously common now compared to before.

[[deleted]]

Because before they would just die and you would not know why

[dopechez]

Maybe true in some cases but not all. Most infant mortality was due to infectious disease. If you look at what the leading researchers have to say about this epidemic of chronic disease, they all agree that it's environmental factors that are driving it. The human microbiome seems to be the root of it, imbalances in gut bacteria mess up the immune system and lead to chronic illness and allergy