Not the worst of times

Good news is obvious to some, but undervalued by most. What's different between now and the 1930s? A thousand things -- for starters. How about longevity?

Because the the obvious is missing from so many discussions, it's good to have formal studies that link pharmaceutical innovation to human well being.

Yes, I know that it's human nature to dwell on the bad news -- of which there is plenty. But it's very good to be alive now as opposed to 75 years ago -- or any other past year.