Demography Basics

Demography

• Demography is the study of human populations, focusing on size, composition, distribution, and changes over time.
• Populations are dynamic, influenced by fertility, mortality, and migration.
• Fertility is the number of births in a population. The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) represents the average number of children a woman would have over her lifetime, based on current age-specific fertility rates.
• Mortality is the number of deaths in a population.
• Migration is the movement of people into or out of a specific geographic area. It can significantly impact population growth.
• International Migration: Approximately 258 million people globally are international migrants. Most migrants are from developing countries migrating to industrialized ones.
• Refugees and Asylum Seekers: In 2016, the world had an estimated 25.9 million refugees and asylum seekers.
• War and Migration: The Syrian war has caused the largest population displacement in recent times, affecting over 6.7 million people. The Taliban takeover in Afghanistan in 2021 increased displacement by 50%. Russia's invasion of Ukraine led to the displacement of 6 million Ukrainians.
• Urbanization: Over 55% of the global population currently lives in urban areas, with this proportion expected to reach 68% by 2050.
• Negative Impacts of Urbanization: Overcrowding, slum formation, lack of sanitation, inadequate housing and infrastructure, air pollution, traffic injuries, and higher mental health issues are common in urban areas.
• Health Risks in Urban Areas: These risks are unequally distributed based on social groups.
• Population Ageing: The global population is ageing at an unprecedented pace. By 2050, the proportion of people over 60 years old will double from 12% to 22%.
• Increasing Elderly Population: The number of very elderly individuals (85+) is a key factor to consider within an ageing population.
• Dependency Ratio: This ratio represents the proportion of dependents (under 15 or over 64) to the working-age population (15-64). It's a key consideration for health planners.
• Types of Dependency Ratios:
  • Young: Represents the ratio of those under 15 to the working-age population.
  • Old: Represents the ratio of those over 64 to the working-age population.
• Increase in Dependency Ratios: The dependency ratio is projected to increase in the coming years.

Global Health Challenges

• Ten Major Global Health Threats (2019):
  • Air Pollution & Climate Change
  • Non-Communicable Diseases
  • Global Influenza Pandemic
  • Fragile & Vulnerable Settings
  • Antimicrobial Resistance
  • Ebola & Other High-Threat Pathogens
  • Weak Primary Care
  • Vaccine Hesitancy
  • Dengue
  • HIV
• Climate Change and Health:
  • Pathways of Climate Change Impact: Extreme weather, altered disease patterns, famine, water crises.
  • Direct Health Effects:
    • Increased burden of non-communicable diseases, heat stress, vector-borne diseases, water-borne diseases, food shortage, changes in infectious disease patterns, drowning, trauma from disasters, mental health issues, violent & antisocial behavior, and mortality.

Addressing Pollution-Related Cardiovascular Disease

• Recognition of pollution as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease is crucial.
• Incorporating pollution assessment into clinical practice provides opportunities for prevention and control.
• Strategy for Reducing Air Pollution Exposure and Pollution-Related CVD:
  • Patient-centered approach.
  • Assessment of pollution exposure based on patient's zip code.
  • Identification of susceptible patients (those with atherosclerotic CVD and coexisting conditions, recent hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, COPD, asthma, diabetes, stage 3/4 chronic kidney disease).
  • Identifying other at-risk individuals (pregnant women, elderly, transplant recipients).

Role of Healthcare Professionals in Climate Change

• Health professionals are key in addressing the health threat of climate change.
• Promoting Sustainable Healthcare: Healthcare systems are responsible for approximately 4-5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• Health professionals can actively promote sustainable practices within the healthcare system.

Explore the fundamental aspects of demography, including the study of human populations, fertility, mortality, and migration. Understand how these elements influence population dynamics over time and the effects of international migration. This quiz covers key statistics and trends related to population changes.