The Link Between Population Growth And World Health
Assignment 2: 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, Argosy University 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.
Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M2_A2.doc. By the due date assigned , deliver your assignment to the Submissions Area .
Paper For Above instruction
The rapid growth of the global population presents significant challenges to public health, environmental sustainability, and resource management. Anticipating the population size in 2060 requires analyzing current growth trends and demographic projections. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2019), the world population is projected to reach approximately 9.7 billion by 2060. This estimate is grounded in current growth rates and demographic models that account for declining birth rates in some regions and higher fertility rates in others. The projection suggests that, despite slowing growth in developed nations, developing countries—particularly in Africa—will continue experiencing higher population increases, significantly contributing to overall global growth.
One infectious disease that is closely linked with increasing population size is tuberculosis (TB). TB prevalence tends to rise in densely populated areas due to greater transmission opportunities. As populations expand, especially in urban centers with overcrowded living conditions, the risk of TB outbreaks heightens (World Health Organization [WHO], 2020). Overcrowding facilitates the airborne transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and limited access to healthcare exacerbates the problem. Hence, population growth intensifies TB transmission, making it a growing concern in densely populated developing nations.
Countries in Africa and parts of Asia are expected to bear the brunt of this disease's increased prevalence. Factors causing this discrepancy include disparities in healthcare infrastructure, poverty levels, and urbanization rates. Developing countries often lack sufficient healthcare resources, sanitation, and public health initiatives to control TB effectively. Moreover, rapid urbanization leads to overcrowded informal settlements with poor living conditions, further facilitating TB transmission (World Bank, 2019). These disparities underscore the importance of targeted health interventions tailored to the needs of these regions.
Food supply and nutrition are also profoundly impacted by population growth. As populations expand, the demand for food products increases, straining agricultural systems and leading to potential shortages.
Countries experiencing rapid population growth, particularly in Africa and parts of Asia, face challenges in maintaining adequate food production and distribution. Malnutrition and food insecurity become more prevalent in regions where food systems cannot keep pace with population demands (FAO, 2020). Some countries are more susceptible to food insecurity due to socio-economic factors, climate change effects on agriculture, and limited access to technology and resources. These vulnerabilities make certain nations more prone to nutrition-related health issues, including stunting, micronutrient deficiencies, and increased vulnerability to infectious diseases.
Governments and international agencies have implemented various strategies to address food insecurity and improve nutrition amid population growth. These include advancing agricultural technology, promoting sustainable farming practices, and enhancing food distribution systems. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasize ending hunger and malnutrition by 2030 through initiatives aimed at improving food security and resilient agricultural practices worldwide (UN, 2015). However, if population growth accelerates significantly by 2060, existing policies may require substantial adjustments. Greater investments in agricultural innovation, infrastructure, and social safety nets will be crucial. Moreover, policies must address climate change impacts that threaten crop yields, water availability, and biodiversity, which are vital for sustainable food systems (FAO, 2021). It is likely that international cooperation and policy frameworks will need to evolve to meet these escalating demands effectively.
In conclusion, demographic trends forecast a continued increase in global population, which will profoundly impact public health, environmental sustainability, and resource management. Preventing the exacerbation of infectious diseases like TB, ensuring food security, and adapting policies to respond to these changes are critical tasks for governments, policymakers, and international organizations. Addressing these issues proactively can mitigate adverse health and environmental outcomes and contribute to sustainable development goals.
References
FAO. (2020). The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020. Food and Agriculture Organization. https://doi.org/10.4060/ca9692en
FAO. (2021). Climate Change and Food Security: A Framework Document. Food and Agriculture Organization. https://www.fao.org/3/cb4474en/CB4474EN.pdf
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (2019). World Population Prospects: The 2019 Revision. https://population.un.org/wpp/Publications/Files/WPP2019-Report.pdf
UN. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. United Nations. https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda
US Census Bureau. (2011). International Data Base. https://www.census.gov/data/international-data...
World Bank. (2019). Urbanization and Its Impact on Health: A Review. World Bank Publications. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/urbanization
World Health Organization. (2020). Global tuberculosis report 2020. WHO. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240013131
