McKeown thesis

The McKeown Thesis, proposed by historian Thomas McKeown, suggests that the dramatic improvements in public health and life expectancy in the 19th and 20th centuries were primarily due to social and economic changes rather than just medical advancements. Factors such as improved living conditions, better nutrition, and greater access to clean water played key roles. McKeown argued that while medical interventions are important, the overall decline in mortality rates was largely driven by these broader social factors that enhanced people's overall well-being.