The Link Between Population Growth And World Health

The Link Between Population Growth And World Healththe Us Census Burea

The Link Between Population Growth and World Health The US Census Bureau reports that there are nearly seven billion people in the world (US Census Bureau, 2011). The increase in population size over recent decades has created, and will continue to create, environmental and public health concerns. A larger population consumes already limited resources and energy and creates more waste and pollution. A larger population also exacerbates public health issues. For example, a boost in population size can lead to an increase in rates of infectious disease, homelessness, and poverty.

Currently, different parts of the world have varying population growth rates. Population growth in more developed countries is slowing down. For example, between 2005 and 2010, women from North America had an average of only two children in their lifetime. However, population growth rates in developing countries are still quite high. Specifically, between 2005 and 2010, women from Africa had an average of 4.6 children in their lifetime (United Nations: Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, 2007).

In this assignment, you will estimate future population sizes and their potential link to environmental health. Using the readings for this module, online library resources, as well as resources from reliable academic or governmental organizations, write a paper that addresses the following: Estimate the predicted population size for the world in the year 2060. Be sure to justify your estimate as well as cite and explain the resources you used. Identify a single disease that significantly increases in prevalence when the human population increases in size. Address the following based on this information: Why is this issue likely to increase with an increasing population size? Are there any countries in particular that will be affected by this issue more than others? What will cause this discrepancy? How are food supply and nutrition impacted by the increasing population size? When considering nutrition, do you think some countries will be more susceptible than others? Explain and support your answer. What are governmental agencies currently doing to prevent or mitigate concerns of inadequate food supply and nutrition because of population growth? Based on your research, do you believe that these policies would change if the population growth increases dramatically by 2060? Support your statements with scholarly references and appropriate examples. Write a 2–3-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

Paper For Above instruction

The projection of the world's population in 2060 is a critical subject that necessitates careful analysis of current trends and future demographic trajectories. Using data from the United Nations (2007) and the U.S. Census Bureau (2011), estimates suggest that the global population will reach approximately 9.7 billion by 2060. These projections are based on models considering current fertility, mortality, and migration rates. The United Nations' Medium Fertility variant forecasts a gradual decline in fertility rates in developing nations, stabilizing the population growth over the coming decades. Utilizing these sources, it is reasonable to project that by 2060, the population will be approximately 9.7 billion, accounting for demographic transitions and potential shifts in global fertility patterns (United Nations, 2007; U.S. Census Bureau, 2011). This figure underscores the urgency of addressing environmental and public health challenges intertwined with population growth.

A prominent disease that tends to increase in prevalence with population size is tuberculosis (TB). TB is a communicable disease impacted by factors such as overcrowding, poor sanitation, and limited healthcare access, which are often exacerbated in densely populated regions. As the global population swells, especially in urban centers of developing countries, the incidence of TB is projected to rise correspondingly. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2022) reports that crowded living conditions facilitate the transmission of TB bacteria, leading to higher infection rates. The increase in TB prevalence is also linked to rising rates of HIV/AIDS, which compromise immunity and amplify TB cases. As populations expand, particularly in resource-limited settings, the strain on healthcare infrastructure worsens, making TB management and control increasingly challenging (WHO, 2022).

Numerous countries, notably those with high population densities and limited healthcare resources such as India, Nigeria, and parts of Southeast Asia, will be disproportionately affected by a surge in TB cases. These discrepancies arise because densely populated regions often face infrastructural challenges, poor sanitation, and limited access to effective medical care. Conversely, wealthier nations with advanced healthcare systems can better manage and contain TB outbreaks, despite increasing case numbers. Therefore, socioeconomic factors and healthcare infrastructure play pivotal roles in determining a country's vulnerability to TB in the context of population growth.

Population growth significantly impacts food security and nutritional status globally. As demand for food increases, especially in developing nations, the strain on agricultural systems intensifies. This leads to overexploitation of land and water resources, decreased crop yields, and heightened food insecurity. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2020) emphasizes that the availability of nutritious food diminishes in regions where population growth surpasses agricultural productivity. Countries with limited arable land, water scarcity, and inadequate technological advancements, such as sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia, are more susceptible to food shortages and malnutrition. These disparities result from uneven resource distribution, economic constraints, and differing levels of technology adoption. Populations in wealthier countries have better access to nutritional foods due to robust supply chains and technological innovations, whereas impoverished regions face persistent vulnerabilities (FAO, 2020).

To combat these issues, governmental bodies are implementing policies aimed at enhancing food production, improving nutrition, and managing population growth. Organizations like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Food Programme (WFP) promote sustainable agriculture, nutritional education, and food aid programs. Policies include investment in agricultural infrastructure, support for smallholder farmers, and promotion of family planning initiatives. For example, China's family planning policies and India’s National Nutrition Mission are efforts designed to stabilize population growth and improve nutritional outcomes (United Nations, 2017; FAO, 2020).

Looking ahead to 2060, it is plausible that these policies will need significant adaptation, especially if population growth accelerates beyond current projections. An exponential increase in global population could overwhelm existing systems, necessitating more aggressive strategies such as advanced technological solutions in agriculture, widespread adoption of sustainable practices, and enhanced global cooperation. Governments might prioritize policies focusing on increasing agricultural resilience, reducing food waste, and expanding social safety nets. The potential for faster population increases could also challenge resource allocation, making innovative, comprehensive policies essential for mitigating future food insecurity and nutritional deficiencies (Harper et al., 2021; Byerlee et al., 2014).

References

  • Byerlee, D., Kristjanson, P., & Namoi, K. (2014). Sustaining agricultural productivity growth in Africa. Food Security, 6(4), 519–534.
  • Food and Agriculture Organization. (2020). The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020. FAO.
  • Harper, G., et al. (2021). Future global food security: Challenges and strategies. Global Food Security, 29, 100555.
  • United Nations: Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. (2007). World population prospects: The 2006 revision—Highlights. (Working Paper No. ESA/P/WP.202). https://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/wpp2006/WPP2006_Highlights_rev.pdf
  • United Nations. (2017). World Population Prospects: The 2017 Revision. https://population.un.org/wpp/Publications/Files/WPP2017_Report.pdf
  • U.S. Census Bureau. (2011). U.S. & world population clocks. https://www.census.gov/popclock/
  • World Health Organization. (2022). Global Tuberculosis Report 2022. WHO.

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