Deaton, A. (2013). The Great Escape: Health, Wealth, and the Origins of Inequality. Princeton University Press.

1. Historical Increase in Life Expectancy:

• Deaton illustrates how life expectancy has dramatically increased, particularly since the eighteenth century.
• Example: He references the significant reduction in deaths from diseases like smallpox in Europe, highlighting the impact of medical advancements.

1. Shift from Infectious to Chronic Diseases in Developed Countries:

• The transition in health focus from infectious diseases to chronic conditions like cardiovascular diseases and cancer is attributed to advancements in medical technology and education.
• Example: Deaton notes the effective handling of the cholera epidemic in nineteenth-century London through improved sanitation, showcasing how public health measures evolved.

1. Economic Development and Inequality:

• The book explores economic inequalities both within countries and between them, emphasizing how these disparities evolved with economic growth.
• Intra-country Example: The United States is used as a case study, where Deaton discusses the growing gap between the wealthy and the poor, and the emergence of a modern-day aristocracy.
• Inter-country Example: He contrasts this with global disparities, noting how some regions like Africa have seen poverty rates increase, while others like South-East Asia have experienced significant economic growth.

1. Contrast Between Hunter-Gatherer and Neolithic Lifestyles:

• Deaton contrasts the balanced diet and nomadic lifestyle of hunter-gatherers with the settled, agricultural lifestyle of the Neolithic era, which led to a decrease in well-being due to disease spread in early villages and cities.

1. Sanitation and Public Health Advancements:

• The critical role of sanitation improvements in advancing public health is highlighted.
• Example: The drastic reduction in disease rates in London following improved sanitation systems in the early nineteenth century.

1. Challenges in Elderly Healthcare in Rich Countries:

• Deaton discusses the challenges of extending the lives of the elderly, with chronic diseases becoming the primary health concern.
• Example: He points out the significant investments in research on cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and Alzheimer’s, and the limited effectiveness of increased healthcare spending in countries like the United States.

1. Global Health and Wealth Disparities:

• The book describes the wide disparities in health standards and living conditions between rich and poor countries.
• Example: The health standards in Sierra Leone are compared to those in the United States in 1910, illustrating the stark differences in child mortality and overall health conditions.

1. Evolution of Global Inequality:

• Deaton traces the evolution of inequality from the disparities between farmers and aristocrats in pre-Enlightenment societies to the current global wealth disparities between developed and developing nations.

1. Globalization’s Limited Impact on Poverty Alleviation:

• While globalization has facilitated technological and informational exchange, Deaton argues it has been insufficient in lifting poorer countries out of poverty due to their lack of fundamental institutions.
• Example: The contrasting experiences of countries like China and India, which have seen rapid growth, versus countries like Liberia and Afghanistan, which continue to struggle.

1. Foreign Aid Critique:

• Deaton is critical of the effectiveness of foreign aid, arguing that it often ends up supporting corrupt regimes and fails to address underlying issues.
• Example: He references Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe’s regime, where aid amounts to a significant portion of the national income but doesn’t effectively alleviate poverty.

1. Alternatives to Traditional Aid Models:

• Proposing alternatives to aid, Deaton suggests promoting scientific knowledge dissemination, diplomatic assistance, lifting trade restrictions, and enabling migration for education as more effective means of assisting poor countries.

1. The Role of Local Governance in Development:

• The importance of local governance and institutions in the effective use of foreign aid and in fostering development is emphasized.

1. Context-Specific Development Strategies:

• Deaton calls for development strategies that are tailored to the specific challenges and conditions of each country, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

1. Lifestyle Choices and Health in Wealthy Countries:

• The book discusses how modern lifestyle decisions in wealthy countries, such as reduced smoking and healthier living, contribute to improved life expectancy.

1. Comparative Approaches to Poverty Alleviation:

• Deaton contrasts different strategies for reducing poverty, advocating for targeted aid combined with measures to improve governance and institutional development.