Author: Mike Fasano

In this paper I will discuss mortality and life expectancy trends in the 20th and 21st centuries, developments that offer the potential to extend life expectancy, and funding constraints that may limit that potential. 20th Century: US life expectancy (at birth) increased steadily in the 20th century, from 48.2 years in 1900 to 76.5 years in 2000. – Mortality improvements in the first part of the 20th century were influenced by a reduction in childhood mortality and infectious diseases due to better sanitation and safer drinking water. – Mid-century improvements resulted from further decline in infectious disease associated with widespread…

As we enter the 4th year of the COVID-19 pandemic and as the number of infected survivors grows ever larger, attention is increasingly turning to the risks of long COVID and reinfection. Characteristics of Long COVID Most patients totally recover from acute COVID within 3 to 4 weeks after onset of infection. Long COVID has been reported in 10% to 30% of those with COVID-19,1 and in some studies, even more. It is more common in women, non-whites, hospitalized patients and those with a COPD and/or smoking history. The World Heath Organization characterizes Long COVID, or Post COVID-19 Syndrome, as…