Question

question 15 · 1 point
which of the following is most likely not a factor in the rise in life expectancy over time?
select the correct answer below:
systems for providing clean water and disposing of human waste
evolutionary changes in human fitness
changes in public behavior around health and hygiene
advancements in medicine and medical science
content attribution
question 16 · 1 point
if the private sector does not have sufficient incentive to carry out research and development, one possible alternative is...
select the correct answer below:
for the government to mandate it.
for the government to fund such work directly.
for the government to do such work itself.
none of the above.

Explanation:

• Question 15:
• Clean water systems and waste disposal (prevents water - borne diseases), changes in public health behavior (e.g., hand - washing), and medical advancements (e.g., vaccines, better treatments) are well - known factors in increasing life expectancy.
• Evolutionary changes in human fitness occur over very long periods (thousands or millions of years) and not in the relatively short time frame over which life expectancy has increased significantly (the last few centuries).
• Question 16:
• If the private sector lacks incentive for R & D (e.g., because of high costs and uncertain returns), the government can fund such work directly. Mandating R & D may not be effective as it doesn't address the incentive problem, and the government doing the work itself is often less efficient than funding private or academic researchers.

Answer:

• Question 15: evolutionary changes in human fitness
• Question 16: for the government to fund such work directly