BPS 1101 Lecture : Drugs 101.docx
Document Summary
The life expectancy for most of recorded history was approximately 30 to 35 years. In 1900, life expectancy in canada was still only 40 years. As of 2009, canada ranks 8th in terms of highest life expectancy, at 82 years. This increase has primary occurred over the last 150 years. The primary way of dying has gone from infection, to death from old age as our body parts wear out. We can conclude that this recent increase in life expectancy was brought on primarily by increases and improved efficiency of scientific practices: main reasons for improved health. Smallpox was eliminated in 1977 and now only exists in labs (though the gene sequence is available online) Antibiotics: crucial in our ongoing war against bacteria (though not perfect) The invention of penicillin circa 1930 dramatically reduced maternal mortality rate when giving birth. As of 2009, prescription drugs in north america is a billion market, with.