Is there a universal theory of mortarity that can explain improvements over time, differences across countries,and differences across groups?It can be argued that knowledge,science,and technology are important aspects of any logical explanation. As for the future,an increase in the production of new knowledge and treatments is likely to increase inequality in health outcomes in the short term. The silver long, though, is that help is on the way,not only for this who receive It first,but eventually for everyone.