This is great news. It makes me want to summarize the article. From 1990 to 2010, death rates have been cut in half, roughly, all over the world. There's no single factor, but these stand out:

* access to health care, especially early in life (in the US, helped by policy)

* fewer environmental toxins -- especially less smoking & less second-hand smoke

And in 2010, developing nations are where wealthy nations were in 1990. The health gap between rich and poor is shrinking everywhere.

The consequence is that better health means better lives & positive contribution to society. Positive feedback loop.

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My own theory: Internet access has helped too, by disseminating knowledge about health & disease.