The industrial revolution and the origins of modern sanitation
The industrial revolution was necessary to trigger investments in sanitary infrastructures, but not sufficient: better medicine and politics were essential.
Local Health Departments and the Puerto Rican Health Miracle
Local health departments played an important role in reducing mortality during the early days of Puerto Rico’s little-known health miracle.
Research note: Sleeping sickness in colonial East and Central Africa
This post summarizes the research by Headrick (2014) on responses to sleeping sickness epidemics in colonial Africa.
Research note: Mental health in Germany ca. 1900
This post focuses on the development of mental health care in Germany around the turn of the 19th century.
Research note: Colonial approaches to sleeping sickness
This post focuses on how British and French colonial governments reacted to sleeping sickness epidemics and what motivated their approach.
Do We Learn from Natural Disasters? The 1877-1879 Drought and Famine in Northeast Brazil
This piece shares recent research on the causes of the 1877-1879 famine in Brazil, narrowing on food prices and mortality.
Research note: the rise of public health
This post focuses on scientific and social factors to explain the rise of public health as a state priority during the 19th century.
Smallpox vaccination in 19th-century Finland: lessons from a vaccine mandate
In historical Finland, the vaccination law succeeded in improving smallpox vaccine uptake despite high hesitancy among the public.
Long run differences in mortality rates between Indigenous and white Australians 1788-2000
The persistent lower-life expectancy of Indigenous Australians reflects contemporary social failures and the impact of a violent colonial past.
Medical progress and health inequality: penicillin in Italy
This post argues that the introduction of penicillin in post-war Italy led to lower levels of regional health inequality.
