In all, 86 per cent of the increased life expectancy was due to decreases in infectious diseases. And the bulk of the decline in infectious disease deaths occurred prior to the age of antibiotics. Less than 4 per cent of the total improvement in life expectancy since 1700s can be credited to twentieth-century advances in medical care.

Summary

This quote highlights the significant impact that decreases in infectious diseases have had on increased life expectancy. It states that 86 percent of the overall increase in life expectancy can be attributed to the decline in infectious diseases. Surprisingly, the quote also mentions that the majority of this decline occurred before the advent of antibiotics. Furthermore, it reveals that advancements in medical care during the twentieth century account for less than 4 percent of the overall improvement in life expectancy since the 1700s.

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