The clearest example of how modern technology is saving lives is to look at modern life expectancy – we’re living an awful lot longer nowadays.
Advancements in surgical training, equipment and medicines, coupled with our growing knowledge of nutrition and health in general, has improved our life expectancy since 1990 by 5.8 years in men and 6.6 years in women.
Cancer death rates are dropping and a stark rise in early diagnosis is partly behind that.
Inventions as simple as mosquito nets and antiseptic products dramatically reduce the risk of easily contracted illnesses or infections, while the whole area of stem cell research has the potential to open up a conveyor belt of opportunities in the medical profession.
Clever uses of non-medical technology, such as the anonymised collation of consumers’ cell phone usage, has proven a useful tool in the prevention of the spread of disease in Kenya.
Of course, what has been achieved will ultimately be overtaken by what has yet to pass, but it’s important to take stock every now and then and appreciate just how far we’ve come.
This infographic, from the team at Mission Safety, should allow you to do just that.
Modern doctor’s desk image, via Shutterstock
