A theory of technophysio evolution, with some implications for forecasting population, health care costs, and pension costs.
We argue that over the past 300 years human physiology has been undergoing profound environmentally induced changes made possible by numerous advances in technology. These changes, which we call technophysio evolution, increased body size by over 50%, and greatly improved the robustness and capacity of vital organ systems. Because technophysio evolution is still ongoing, it is relevant to forecasts of longevity and morbidity and, therefore, to forecasts of the size of the elderly population and pension and health care costs.
Fogel
R W
RW
University of Chicago, National Bureau of Economic Research, IL 60637, USA. imok@tao.cpe.uchiago.edu
Costa
D L
DL
D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy / Q000639:trends*; D008297:Male; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science / Q000639:trends*; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D010415:Pensions; D011158:Population Growth; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology