Health security

Three Ways to Find More Disease Cures

The triumph of science over disease in the past century is astounding. Since 1900, a host of maladies—diphtheria, measles, whooping cough, polio, tetanus, typhoid and smallpox, among others—have been mostly controlled. These victories helped more than double human lifespans over the 20th century, according to the World Health Organization.

Medical research has significantly reduced the burden of cancer and heart disease. Data from the National Cancer Institute show that the risk of dying from cancer decreased by 22% between 1991 and 2011. By 2010, more than 80% of cancer-stricken children were surviving at least five years, up from about 50% in 1975. Heart disease and stroke deaths have also fallen dramatically.