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.
On average, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 23 percent of the global disease burden can be attributed to the environment (World Resources Institute, n.d.).
In this assignment, you will use an interactive map to identify world patterns of environmental hazards through mortality rates. WHO has published a map providing the percentage of deaths around the world that are attributed to environmental issues from 2004. Access this map using the link given below and review the values listed for different countries:
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2004). Public health and environment (PHE): Percentage of deaths and DALYs attributable to the environment, 2004 deaths. Retrieved fromhttp://web.archive.org/web/20130721135735/http:/gamapserver.who.int/gho/interactive_charts/phe/total_percentage/atlas.html
Based on your research, complete the following:
- Identify the top five countries that have the highest percentage of deaths attributable to environmental problems. Are the countries that you identified considered developed or developing nations?
- Identify the five countries that have the lowest percentage of deaths attributed to environmental problems. Are the countries you chose considered developed or developing nations?
- Examine whether developed nations have higher or lower mortality rates caused by environmental issues (as defined by WHO) than developing nations.
- Examine the countries with higher mortality rates from environmental issues on the WHO map. Do they have high or low population sizes when compared to those countries with lower mortality rates?
- Explain your position on whether the population size is directly correlated with the environmental issues. Are there other factors or health determinants, such as social or economic factors, impacting this issue?
- Examine whether the environmental issues would subside if population sizes decreased and were maintained.
Using the readings for this module, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet, respond to the following:
- Choosing one nation from the higher percentage and one from the lower percentage, identify a minimum of two of their environmental problems that can be linked to their mortality rates.
- Examine any similarities between their environmental problems and those in your neighborhood.
Support your statements with scholarly references and appropriate examples.
Write your initial response in a minimum of 350 words. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.
Recent environmental disasters have significantly impacted the human population in multiple ways. In this assignment, you will identify a recent environmental disaster and discuss potential correlated health impacts.
Begin this assignment by identifying one recent example of an environmental disaster. For example, the BP oil spill or the earthquakes in Haiti or Japan.
Using the readings for this module, the Argosy University online resources, and the Internet, write a research paper including the following:
- Provide a description of the environmental event/disaster you have identified. Include the following points:
- Consider if the event was caused by humans or natural.
- Examine the direct and indirect impact on immediate- and long-term public health.
- Identify data regarding mortality and/or morbidity outcomes, if available.
- Explain the geographical impact with respect to health. Also consider the number of lives lost, environmental damage, economic fallout, and long-term repercussions or impact.
- Examine the research on the likelihood of this event recurring.
- Identify and describe the immediate- and long-term emergency response plans and efforts to the disaster you have selected. Be sure to identify which groups, organizations, and/or governments led or are leading the response efforts and the various players who participated or are participating in this response.
- Examine the lessons learned from previous responses to similar disasters. List at least three recommendations for protecting public health from a recurrence and/or the aftermath of similar disasters in the future.
