TOPIC 5: Unit 2: Factors affecting birth and death rates

TOPIC 5: POPULATION GROWTH AND CHANGE

NEXT AMERICA

  • Percent of U.S. Population by Age Group, 1950-2060

  • Baby Boomers: Age distribution is illustrated over decades.

  • Graphic: Data gathered by Pew Research Center depicting male and female populations, including age segments from 0 to 85+.

Unit 2: Factors Affecting Birth and Death Rates

1. How Does Disease Affect Birth and Death Rates?

  • Number of pandemics reported during the late 18th and 19th centuries.

  • Absence of pandemics since the Industrial Revolution until the recent COVID-19.

  • Impact of widespread illnesses on birth rates:

    • HIV/AIDS

    • Tuberculosis (TB)

    • Malaria

    • Diarrhea

1.1. The Black Death

  • Also known as the Plague.

  • Pandemic that began in Central Asia and China.

  • Reached England in 1348, spreading rapidly through Europe.

  • Transmitted by fleas on black rats.

  • Resulted in the death of approximately 30% to 60% of Europe’s population in months.

  • Caused a significant reduction in the world population.

1.2. Smallpox at the Cape

  • A highly contagious disease characterized by fever and permanent scars.

  • First epidemic occurred in 1713 from a Dutch ship at the Cape.

  • Resulted in about eight Company slaves dying daily.

  • By May 1713, the disease had become a pandemic.

  • Less than 10% of the Khoisan survived this epidemic.

1.3. HIV and AIDS

  • HIV is the precursor to AIDS, destroying the immune system.

  • Impact: Sub-Saharan Africa significantly affected; mortality rates are rising while life expectancy is declining.

1.4. Tuberculosis (TB)

  • An airborne infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

  • Primarily affects the lungs.

  • Transmission occurs through coughing and sneezing by infected individuals.

  • Factors aiding TB prevalence:

    • Co-infection with HIV.

    • Overcrowding.

    • Malnutrition.

1.5. Malaria

  • A parasitic disease spread by infected mosquitoes, causing fever.

  • Economic Consequences:

    • High health care costs.

    • Lost working days due to illness.

    • Educational disruption.

    • Decreased productivity.

    • Negative impact on tourism and investments.

1.6. Diarrhea

  • Result of infection in the stomach and intestines leading to dehydration.

  • Main causes include unsafe water, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene.

  • Second most common cause of death in infants globally.

2. How Economic Status Affects Birth and Death Rates

  • Living conditions influenced by economic status directly affect health and disease spread.

  • Communities and national economic factors play crucial roles in influencing demographic rates.

2.1. High Economic Status

  • Characteristic of developed countries:

    • High living standards.

    • Access to quality healthcare and clean water.

    • Good sanitation conditions and well-constructed homes.

    • High employment opportunities and educational access.

    • Low birth and death rates; high life expectancy.

2.2. Low Economic Status

  • Common in developing countries:

    • Lack of access to quality healthcare and sanitation.

    • Poor living conditions and inadequate nutrition.

    • Low educational levels and unemployment issues.

3. Family Needs, Attitudes, and Beliefs Affecting Birth and Death Rates

3.1. Family Needs

  • Families differ in needs based on economic conditions:

    • In developing countries, families require more members for agricultural labor.

    • In developed countries, farmers can afford mechanization which decreases labor needs.

3.2. Family Attitudes

  • In some cultures, negative attitudes towards birth control exist.

  • In rural settings, children considered assets can lead to larger family sizes.

  • Societal expectations may limit women's roles, influencing birth rates.

3.3. Family Beliefs

  • Religious beliefs can dictate attitudes towards contraception and abortion, affecting birth rates positively or negatively based on the belief systems present in a community.

4. Effects of Conflicts and Wars on Birth and Death Rates

  • Conflicts generally lead to decreased birth rates and increased death rates.

  • Men’s absence due to war and high civilian casualties are significant factors.

  • Post-conflict, birth rates may increase as communities recover.

5. Effect of Government Policies on Birth and Death Rates

  • Low fertility rates lead to population decline affecting economic development.

  • Pro-natalist policies in European countries promote higher birth rates through incentives like baby bonuses and parental leave.

  • Countries with high birth rates (e.g., India, China) implement anti-natalist policies to curb overpopulation.

5.1. The People’s Republic of China

  • One-child policy introduced in 1978:

    • Limits urban couples to one child with specific exceptions.

    • Established to mitigate social, economic, and environmental issues.

    • Shifted policy allows for up to three children now.