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• Marriage Is Good for Your Health
  17 Nov 2009 | Linda Waite
  Mounting research shows that married people are healthier and live longer than unmarried people. The marriage advantage works differently for men and women, but both benefit, especially as they enter older ages. Professor Linda Waite at the University of Chicago has studied the ways that marriage, widowhood, divorce, and remarriage affect physical and mental health. Some of the findings are surprising, and they are important for the well-being of the growing number of older people. Join Linda Waite, sociology professor and the director of the University of Chicago’s Center on Aging, as she answers your questions about how and why marriage affects health, and policies that might enhance the benefits of marriage and social networks for older people.
• Does a Young Age Structure Thwart Democratic Governments?
  12 Nov 2009 | Richard Cincotta
  Does a large proportion of young adults in a country’s adult population make it difficult for that country to gain or retain high levels of democracy? Recent demographic and political research by Richard Cincotta and colleagues suggests that it does. They have tied the “youth bulge” in developing countries to a slowing of the transition to democracy—or even a movement away from democracy in such countries as Venezuela. But these researchers are optimistic about long-term political prospects because of current demographic trends. As populations continue to age in South American, North African, Asian, and then sub-Saharan African countries, their youth bulge will dissipate, and Cincotta and colleagues expect more countries to enter the community of liberal democracies. Join Richard Cincotta, demographic consultant for the U.S. defense and intelligence communities, as he responds to your questions about the links between demography and democracy.
• Does Climate Change Threaten Our Cities?
  30 Oct 2009 | Mark Montgomery
  The cities and towns of developing countries are projected to absorb at least 2.5 billion additional people by 2050. At the same time, these areas will experience global climate change likely to bring floods, droughts, food insecurity, and loss of livelihoods. These converging trends pose mounting health risks for people living in urban areas in developing countries, especially for the poorest residents. Where are the greatest health risks and what can be done to manage them? Join urban expert Mark Montgomery, Stony Brook University and the Population Council, as he answers your questions about urban growth, health, and climate change. Professor Montgomery studies the implications of global climate change on urban areas of developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
• The Fight to Stop Honor Killings
  23 Oct 2009 | Rana Husseini
  "Honor Killings" claim the lives of at least 5,000 women each year in traditional societies around the world; many more women live under the fear of these attacks. Honor killings are effectively the murder of girls or women by their fathers, brothers, or other male relatives to "cleanse their family honor," on the belief it has been disgraced by their behavior, often on the basis of gossip and rumor. What beliefs and social forces push families to such extreme measures? More importantly, what can be done to prevent these murders? How do women cope under the threat of an honor killing? Join journalist and activist Rana Husseini as she answers your questions about this important issue. In her research, writings, and activities, Ms. Husseini has broken the silence about these killings and challenged society to help end them.
• Child Poverty in America
  30 Sep 2009 | William P. O'Hare
  The percent of children in poverty (19 percent based on data released on Sept. 10 by the U.S. Census Bureau) is far higher than that of the working-age population or the elderly. Prior to 1972, the elderly actually had a higher poverty rate than children, but pensions, social security, and Medicare have dramatically improved the lives of the elderly. While raising the next generation of Americans is clearly important, the U.S. government spends nearly $5 on the elderly for each $1 spent on children. Join Bill O'Hare, senior fellow at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, as he answers your questions about child poverty in the United States.
• World Population: 7 Billion on the Horizon
  3 Sep 2009 | Carl Haub, James Gribble, Linda Jacobsen, Mary Mederios Kent
  Global population numbers are on track to reach 7 billion in 2011, just 12 years after reaching 6 billion in 1999. Even with declining fertility rates in many countries, world population is growing at a rapid rate. Virtually all of that growth is in developing countries. On Aug. 12, PRB released its 2009 World Population Data Sheet. Here are some key findings:
  * Africa's population has just passed 1 billion.
  * About half the world lives in poverty.
  * HIV prevalence now appears to be on the decline in Africa.
  * The birth rate among U.S. teenagers is twice as high as the average for all developed countries. Please join this follow-up Discuss Online, during which four PRB demographers will answer your questions about world population growth and the factors driving it. Take part in a wide-ranging and informative discussion on U.S. and international population.
  Carl Haub, PRB senior demographer and co-author of the 2009 World Population Data Sheet
  Mary Mederios Kent, senior demographics editor and co-author of the 2009 World Population Data Sheet
  Linda Jacobsen, PRB's vice president of Domestic Programs
  James Gribble, PRB's vice president of International Programs
  The data sheet, summary report, and a webcast of the press briefing are online at: www.prb.org/Publications/DataSheets/2009/2009wpds.aspx.
• Africa's Future: Improving the Health of Mothers and Children
  30 Jul 2009 | John Bongaarts, Nafissatou Diop
  Every year in sub-Saharan Africa, 265,000 mothers die in childbirth and 4.5 million children die before the age of 5 from preventable causes. One important way to reduce maternal mortality and improve child health is through family planning, which helps women avoid unintended pregnancies and allows them to choose the timing and number of pregnancies that they have. The rapid population growth that Africa continues to experience is due to women having many children (5.4 children per woman on average in the regions), and this sustained growth in population adversely affects many aspects of national development, including environmental sustainability, economic well-being, health status, and governance. Although Africa continues to be greatly affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the continent's rapid population growth more than offsets the deaths due to AIDS. In spite of these challenges, family planning continues to be one of the best opportunities to improve the health of mothers and children throughout Africa. John Bongaarts, vice president and distinguished scholar at the Population Council; and Nafissatou Diop, country director of the Population Council in Senegal, will answer your questions about population growth and policy options in sub-Saharan Africa; factors that contribute to increasing maternal mortality; and programmatic experiences—including family planning—that contribute to reducing maternal mortality. Diop will answer questions in French for those of you who wish to submit questions in French.
• How Will Global Aging Affect Economic Development?
  24 Jun 2009 | David Bloom
  The number of people over age 60 is expected to reach 1 billion by 2020 and almost 2 billion by 2050, representing 22 percent of the world’s population. This growth in the size and share of the elderly population will affect many aspects of economic development, including national labor forces: the ratio of people in older dependent age groups will increase relative to those in working-age groups. However, declining fertility rates may counterbalance this shift by reducing the number of people in younger dependent age groups. In addition, the new generation of older people will be healthier than previous generations and may remain active in the labor force for longer. Along with continued increases in the female labor force, these circumstances may alleviate the economic burden of global aging. What are the implications of global population aging for economic development? David Bloom, economist and demographer at the Harvard School of Public Health, will answer your questions about how these trends will affect labor forces and economic development. You may pre-submit your questions.
• Explaining India's Deficit of Girls
  11 Jun 2009 | Leela Visaria
  India, along with China and several other countries, has a history of neglect for girls and women that produced lower female survival rates and an imbalanced ratio of males to females. In recent years, male-to-female sex ratios at birth and among children in India have increased much more than can be explained solely by discrimination against girls. There is evidence that technologies like portable sonogram machines have made it easy to detect sex of a fetus, enabling families to abort a female fetus if they do not want a(nother) daughter. In spite of a ban on sex-detection tests and sex-selective abortion, the practice has continued, raising questions about the value and rights of women in this society. Join Leela Visaria, researcher and president of the Asian Population Association, as she answers your questions about the issues surrounding the status of women and the imbalanced ratio of males to females in India.
• How Family Planning Can Save More Lives
  28 May 2009 | James Gribble, Rhonda Smith
  Family planning saves the lives of millions of women and infants every year in developing countries. But it could save many more. Family planning could prevent up to one-third of all maternal deaths by allowing women to delay motherhood, space births, avoid unintended pregnancies and unsafely performed abortions, and stop childbearing when women have reached their desired family size. Join PRB's James Gribble, vice president of International Programs, and Rhonda Smith, associate vice president of International Programs, as they answer your questions about how family planning saves lives and improves health for women and children. And, they will address how these programs could do even more. Gribble and Smith are co-authors of the newest edition of Family Planning Saves Lives and have worked on reproductive health issues in many developing countries.
• A Call to Action: World Malaria Day 2009
  23 Apr 2009 | Joel Breman
  Malaria threatens close to one-half of the world's population, and more than 1 million children die each year of malaria-related complications. In sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 250,000 pregnant women die annually: Up to 30 percent of these deaths are due to hemorrhage, with malaria often an important contributing factor. Eliminating malaria has proved elusive given the inadequate infrastructure and health systems in many of the countries where the disease is most prevalent. But there are effective ways to combat malaria even in low-income countries. Join malaria expert and epidemiologist Dr. Joel Breman of the Fogarty International Center, U.S. National Institutes of Health, as he answers your questions about the challenge of eradicating malaria: What countries are most at risk? What are cost-effective ways to reduce exposure? How can we reduce the health burden of malaria? What breakthrough research is needed to break the back of malaria? You can submit questions for Dr. Breman on this website.
• Are Some U.S. Generations Luckier Than Others?
  24 Mar 2009 | Elwood Carlson
  Unique events, political climates, and social and economic conditions shape each new generation in every society. In a well-publicized book and recent Population Bulletin, sociologist Elwood Carlson examines shared experiences influencing recent U.S. generations including the Lucky Few (born 1929-1945), Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964), Generation X (born 1965-1982), New Boomers (born 1983-2001), and others. Join Professor Carlson as he answers your questions about why different generations of Americans experienced such different childhood family contexts, educational outcomes, marriages and family lives, military service, career paths, and retirement. What key factors are likely to determine the collective identity of Americans being born today?
• Abandoning Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
  4 Feb 2009 | Molly Melching
  As many as 140 million girls and women worldwide have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and more than 3 million girls are at risk for cutting each year on the African continent alone. FGM/C is almost impossible for individuals to abandon without support from their social networks, most notably within their intramarrying groups. Through Tostan, innovative and courageous individuals have successfully mobilized communities to abandon the practice through cross-cutting educational programs and attention to human rights within the community’s social context and culture. Join Molly Melching, founder and executive director of Tostan, as she discusses the challenges and successes of Tostan’s work to curb genital cutting in Senegal and several other African countries.
• Birth Defects: A Hidden Toll for Developing Countries
  22 Jan 2009 | Arnold Christianson
  Each year, an estimated 9 million infants are born with a serious birth defect that may kill them or result in a lifelong disability. Such birth defects have an especially severe effect on children in middle- and low-income countries. What are the causes of birth defects? Which defects can be treated or prevented? How can we fight the common misconceptions about them? Join a discussion about this vital topic with Arnold Christianson, director of the Division of Human Genetics at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Dr. Christianson is a pediatrician and medical geneticist working to improve health conditions in low- and middle-income countries.
• Is Sub-Saharan Africa an Exception to the Global Trend Toward Smaller Families?
  10 Dec 2008 | Steven Sinding
  Sub-Saharan Africa remains the "last frontier" of fertility decline. Throughout the developing world (including China), the average number of children per woman has dropped from around six in 1965 to just about three today. But in sub-Saharan Africa, there are many countries in which fertility has fallen little, if at all. What's more, women in some sub-Saharan countries report that they want at least six children. Is sub-Saharan Africa likely to follow the fertility declines that characterized Asia and Latin America, or is this region different? Are there countries in sub-Saharan Africa where population growth rates have fallen and, if so, what makes them different from the rest? And what about HIV/AIDS: Will AIDS mortality contribute to slower population growth or will it cause a reversal of whatever gains have been made? Join Steven Sinding, senior fellow at the Guttmacher Institute and former director general of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, London, as he responds to your questions about the potential for fertility decline in Africa.
• Why Are Stillbirths An Invisible Loss of Life in Developing Countries?
  13 Nov 2008 | Cindy Stanton
  Each year more than 3 million stillbirths occur, and approximately 1 million of these occur after the onset of labor, but these deaths remain invisible in international and national policies, programs, and investment agendas. Stillbirths are rarely measured in large surveys, are not included in routine data reported to the United Nations, and are not tracked in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Yet MDG’s 4 and 5 (reducing child and maternal mortality, respectively) cannot be reached without improving newborn and obstetric care, which also affect stillbirths. What can be done to ensure that research, adequate monitoring, and program planning take stillbirths into account? Join Cindy Stanton, assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, as she discusses important issues surrounding stillbirths in developing countries.
• What Are the Financial Implications of Aging in the United States?
  6 Nov 2008 | Ron Lee
  The U.S. population is aging: The ratio of elderly to the working-age population in the United States will roughly double over the next few decades, straining the finances of the U.S. Social Security system and other government programs. Join Professor Ron Lee as he responds to your questions about the trends in mortality and aging in the United States, and the implications of population aging on government entitlement programs and the U.S. economy.
• Growing up in North America: How Are Children Faring Economically?
  29 Oct 2008 | Katherine Scott, Mark Mather, Nashieli Ramirez Hernandez
  Globalization helped increase incomes in Canada, the United States, and Mexico for more than 10 years, but left many children vulnerable economically. While they differ substantially on many economic indicators, the 120 million children living in North America face surprisingly similar problems, including: Comparatively high rates of child poverty, particularly among indigenous communities and racial or ethnic minorities; increasing income inequality; and lack of access to affordable housing, an adequate diet (particularly in Mexico), and health care (for millions in the United States and Mexico). Join Katherine Scott from the Canadian Council on Social Development, Nashieli Ramirez from the Children's Rights Network in Mexico, and Mark Mather from the Population Reference Bureau as they answer your questions about the economic well-being of children in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, and strategies for alleviating child poverty.
• Demographic Divide: Diverging Population Growth Trends
  25 Sep 2008 | Carl Haub, Mary Mederios Kent
  More than 80 million people were added to the world's population in 2008, which ensures continued growth in coming decades. However, the increase is highly concentrated among the least developed countries, while more developed countries are growing little or even declining. These diverging trends will drive rapid aging in some countries and burgeoning youth populations in others. Join a discussion of what lies behind these current trends and the implications for future generations with Carl Haub and Mary Mederios Kent, authors of PRB's 2008 World Population Data Sheet. Carl Haub is senior demographer at PRB, where he holds the Conrad Taeuber Chair in Population Information. A long-time observer of world population, he brings a unique perspective to the current population situation. He will be joined by Mary Mederios Kent, senior demographic editor at PRB and author of numerous publications on U.S. and global population topics.
• Caesarean Deliveries: Why Are They Key for Maternal Health in Developing Countries?
  7 Aug 2008 | Cindy Stanton
  Caesarean delivery rates are rising among mothers in many developing countries, and likely exceed the 15 percent limit recommended by the World Health Organization in 2005. Caesarean deliveries are especially common in some Asian and Latin American countries, accounting for many as 40 percent of babies delivered - but not in Africa, where they account for just 2 percent of deliveries in some countries. Within countries, Caesarean deliveries tend to increase sharply with wealth. Less than 1 percent of women in the poorest households had Caesareans in many countries – below the minimum rate required to cover fatal complications. Rates are much higher among wealthy women – nearing 80 percent in some countries. What can we do to ensure that all women and babies have access to Caesareans for life-saving purposes and that health systems use their resources in the most cost-effective ways? Join Cindy Stanton, assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, as she responds to your questions about issues surrounding Caesarean deliveries in developing countries.
• Environmental Change: What Are the Links With Migration?
  30 Jul 2008 | Jason Bremner
  There are more international migrants today than ever before, with close to 200 million people living outside their country of birth. Internal migration, the movement of people within their own country, dwarfs international migration. Increasing numbers are refugees fleeing their homeland for another country, or are internally displaced within their own country. Human migration can have rapid and complex impacts on rural and urban environments and can pose great challenges to the conservation of the biodiversity and natural resources. At the same time, environmental change, such as drought and rising sea levels, is expected to force millions more people to migrate. Join Jason Bremner, program director for Population, Health, and Environment (PHE) at PRB, as he answers your questions about the relationships between migration and the environment, current trends, and future migrations related to environmental change. Jason has more than 10 years of experience in PHE programs and research and spent several years studying migration and environment links in the Galapagos and Amazon regions in Latin America.
• Americans at Work: What Lies Ahead?
  26 Jun 2008 | Mark Mather, Marlene Lee
  The aging of baby boomers and the fact that women's labor force participation has already peaked are expected to slow U.S. labor force growth in the near future. Globalization is also changing the size and composition of the U.S. workforce. Foreign-born workers have contributed 40 percent of the labor force growth between 1990 and 2000, and global corporate restructuring is shifting production from high-wage countries to low-wage countries. How have and how will these key demographic, institutional, and economic changes affect the composition of the U.S. labor force? Join PRB's Marlene Lee and Mark Mather as they answer your questions about the U.S. labor force and what lies ahead for American workers, based on their new Population Bulletin, "U.S. Labor Force Trends." Marlene A. Lee is a senior research associate and editor of the Population Bulletin and Mark Mather is associate vice president of Domestic Programs at the Population Reference Bureau.
• Ensuring a Wide Range of Family Planning Choices
  5 Jun 2008 | Lori Ashford
  Worldwide, more than 60 percent of women of childbearing age use some method of family planning, but the percentages range from less than 10 percent in some of the least developed countries, to more than 70 percent in other countries. Cultural, social, political, and historical factors may drive women to rely on one or two specific contraceptive methods, but research has underscored the importance of having a range of choices. Join PRB's Lori Ashford as she answers your questions about family planning worldwide: trends in use, preferences for specific methods, and obstacles women face in gaining access to the most appropriate method for them. Lori Ashford is program director for policy communications at PRB, and the author of many reports and articles on family planning, population policy, and reproductive health.
• The Middle East Youth Bulge: Causes and Consequences
  13 May 2008 | Ragui Assaad
  Recent demographic trends have created a youth bulge in the Middle East and North Africa, with nearly one in every five people age 15 to 24. Despite its oil wealth and improved health and education systems, the region's political, social, and economic systems still do not meet the needs of this rapidly growing young population. What are the prospects for young people in this region? Are young men putting off marriage because of limited job opportunities? Why is the education system so out of synch with the needs of the labor market in Arab countries? Join Ragui Assaad, regional director for West Asia and North Africa at the Population Council, as he responds to your questions about the growing youth population in this region.
• Building Alliances to Save Mothers' Lives
  8 May 2008 | Theresa Shaver
  Each year millions of women die needlessly as a result of pregnancy or childbirth. Maternal mortality is now a rarity in most developed countries, yet worldwide, a woman dies every minute from a pregnancy-related cause. The United Nations has challenged countries to reduce their maternal mortality by three-quarters between 2000 and 2015 (Millennium Development Goal #5), but many appear unlikely to meet this goal unless they receive help, especially within South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. What is being done to marshal the financial resources and political commitment necessary to ensure safe motherhood around the world? Can we do more? Join Theresa Shaver, director of the global secretariat of the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood, as she discusses the challenges encountered and successes enjoyed by a major international effort to increase resources to save mothers’ lives.
• Combating Malaria: A First-Hand Account From Congo
  24 Apr 2008 | Matthew Lynch for Antoinette Tshefu
  The global health community is mounting an unprecedented effort against the deadly scourge of malaria. The Democratic Republic of Congo poses unique and daunting challenges to the massive efforts required for effective malaria control. Hear first-hand from a Congolese malaria expert about the realities and challenges that are a daily part of life for all residents, as well as the proposed solutions that could save millions of lives in the years to come. Join Dr. Antoinette Tshefu as she responds to your questions about tackling the problem of malaria in high-burden countries, and Congo in particular. Dr. Tshefu is a medical doctor, professor, and malaria expert at the University of Kinshasa School of Public Health. A native of the DRC, she has over 14 years of public health experience working in the country on malaria and humanitarian initiatives.
• Combating Malaria: What More Can We Do Now?
  22 Apr 2008 | Nicole K. Bates
  Encouraging progress against malaria was made in the Americas and some parts of Asia in the last century, but the first global campaign to stop malaria didn’t succeed. In fact, investments in malaria research and treatment waned and the disease resurged in the impoverished communities of sub-Saharan Africa. Today there are nearly 1 million malaria deaths per year, mostly of children, and between 300 million and 500 million cases of this debilitating disease. Experts, advocates, and communities have renewed efforts to stop malaria, but what will it take to ensure that the global health community is able to sustain the effort to stop malaria this time around? Nicole Bates is director of government relations at the Global Health Council.
• Managing Unauthorized Migration
  25 Mar 2008 | Philip Martin
  Unauthorized migration is a major issue in the United States and many other countries, sometimes generating intense publicity and debate. How can leaders minimize the "push" factors that encourage unwanted migration? Trade, investment, and foreign aid, for example, might help create jobs and opportunities in the sending countries that would keep potential migrants home. But do these strategies help slow unauthorized migration? Phil Martin, professor of agricultural economics at the University of California, Davis, is a noted expert on international labor migration. He is the co-author of the new PRB Population Bulletin, "Managing Migration: The Global Challenge."
• Finding Ways to Improve Child Health
  13 Feb 2008 | Nils Daulaire
  Each year, nearly 10 million children die, mostly from preventable and treatable causes. Millions of children in low-income countries suffer from long-term illnesses, malnutrition, and injuries that limit their life options. What can we do to improve children’s health and save lives in low-income countries? Which countries are on track to improve health, and which need the most help? What are the links to mother's health? Dr. Daulaire is president and CEO of the Global Health Council.
• Sub-Saharan Africa's Demographic Giants: Ethiopia and Nigeria
  30 Jan 2008 | Assefa Hailemariam, Charles Teller, Kolawole Oyediran
  Ethiopia and Nigeria are sub-Saharan Africa's largest countries by far, with populations of 83 million and 144 million, respectively. They account for more than one-quarter of the continent's 788 million people, and are integral to its demographic future. Both are growing rapidly (at nearly 3 percent per year) because of high fertility, lowering mortality, and low contraceptive use. Both countries grapple with widespread child malnutrition and share many challenges. Charles Teller is an adjunct visiting professor in the Population Studies and Research Center, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, and Bixby Visiting Scholar at PRB. He will be joined online by Nigerian sociologist-demographer Dr. Kola Oyidiran and Ethiopian demographer-statistician Dr. Assefa Hailemariam.
• Beyond 300 Million: Regional and State Population Trends in the United States
  19 Dec 2007 | Mark Mather
  In October 2006, the U.S. population topped 300 million people, and continues to outpace growth in other developed countries. But population change within the United States is highly uneven, with rapid growth in the South and West, and slow growth or population loss in many parts of the Midwest and Northeast. What are the factors contributing to this demographic divide, and what are the economic, political, and environmental implications of these trends? Mark Mather is deputy director in domestic programs at the Population Reference Bureau.
• Gender Equality in the Family
  27 Nov 2007 | Frances K. Goldscheider
  The gender revolution in the public sphere has continued apace throughout the industrialized world. Women are leading countries and holding prestigious positions in government, business, and academia. In many countries they are now attaining more education than men. Although women are still constrained by a glass ceiling, they are making real progress in achieving equity with men. In the private sphere of the family, much less change has occurred. Women still shoulder most of the responsibilities. It is important, however, to distinguish between gender inequalities in housework (which men resist sharing) and in child-rearing (which women resist sharing). For women to reach equality with men, these inequities in the public and private spheres need to be addressed.
• Will India's Population Reach 2 Billion?
  17 Oct 2007 | Carl Haub
  Fertility in India has fallen from an average of about six children per woman in the 1960s to about three today, a remarkable achievement for the country’s efforts to slow population growth. India's population passed the 1 billion mark in 2000--will it pass 2 billion, even with these lower fertility rates? This question was addressed by PRB senior demographer Carl Haub who, along with O.P. Sharma, recently produced a series of population projections for India to 2101. Mr. Haub will discuss what is likely to happen with India's population as it becomes the world’s most populous country.
• The Unfinished Agenda in Global Health
  31 Aug 2007 | Richard Skolnik
  Despite important advances in life expectancy, there are still very substantial gaps between the health of people in developing and developed countries. This is especially true for poor people. Almost 12 million young children a year die, many of preventable causes and half related to undernutrition. More than 500,000 women a year die in childbirth. Malaria kills more than 1 million children a year and almost 40 million people worldwide are infected with HIV. What is the burden of disease in the developing world? What are the key risk factors for that burden? What are cost-effective ways in different settings of addressing that burden? How can the world work together more effectively to deal with this unfinished agenda?
• Why Population Aging Matters
  31 Jul 2007 | Richard Suzman
  People are living longer and, in some parts of the world, healthier lives. By 2030, 1 billion people will be ages 65 and older. While this is a major achievement of the last century, significant challenges now confront us. Societal aging may affect economic growth, family sustainability, and international relations. Join Dr. Richard Suzman, director of the behavioral and social research program at the U.S. National Institute on Aging, to discuss the impact of population aging on the global community, and the findings of the NIA's new report, "Why Population Aging Matters."
• How Can Philanthropy Play a More Useful Role in Improving Family Planning and Reproductive Health in the Developing World?
  22 May 2007 | Sara Seims
  The philanthropic sector plays a vital role in supporting family planning and reproductive health funding, and provided $326 million in grants for population activities in 2004. The overwhelming majority of these funds come from a handful of U.S. foundations, and in recent years these institutions have recognized the need to hold themselves more accountable regarding the effectiveness of the work that they support. Join in PRB's online discussion of the ways in which many foundations are determining how best to work with developing country governments, civil society organizations, local communities and other stakeholders, as well as with other funders.
• How Can We Reduce the Death Rates From Pregnancy and Childbirth?
  18 Apr 2007 | Fariyal Fikree, M.D.
  In most developing countries, women still face a significant risk of dying or having a serious or life-threatening complication during pregnancy, delivery, or after. These risks can be dramatically reduced through already known cost-effective interventions. But political will and resources continue to lag. Discuss with Dr. Fikree the barriers to implementation, and successful strategies for ensuring that women survive pregnancy and childbirth.
• U.S. Birth Rate: Still Fueling Population Growth?
  22 Mar 2007 | Mary Mederios Kent
  We often hear that the U.S. family is shrinking and that more young Americans aren’t getting married or having children—but the U.S. has a higher birth rate than most other industrialized countries. Who is having or not having children in the U.S. today? How has U.S. fertility changed since the baby boom years of the 1950s and 1960s? How has immigration affected the U.S. birth rate? Where does the U.S. rank compared with other countries?
• Environment, Poverty and Security in Today's World: What's Population Got to Do With it?
  25 Jan 2007 | Roger-Mark De Souza
  How are environmental, poverty, and security trends in today’s world affected by population dynamics? What is being done to address these issues? What is needed? Join Roger-Mark De Souza, Technical Director of Population, Health and Environment at PRB, for an online discussion of population, health, and environment linkages.
• Who Is Malnourished or Hungry in the World? Why? What Can We Do to Help?
  6 Dec 2006 | Bill Butz
  How many malnourished or hungry people are there in the world, and why? Is the situation improving or worsening? Join Bill Butz, president and CEO of the Population Reference Bureau, on Dec. 6 for an online discussion of malnutrition, hunger, and food security.
• Is Global Pressure for Immigration Increasing?
  9 Nov 2006 | Carl Haub
  Nearly 3 million people migrate to other countries today. With aging societies in Europe, and in Japan and other Asian countries seeing a reduction in their labor forces, the need for workers will conflict with many countries' desires to remain relatively culturally homogeneous. How will countries cope with these issues. A compelling topic for discussion!
• The U.S. at 300 Million: Challenges and Prospects
  11 Oct 2006 | Linda Jacobsen
  The United States is set to reach a milestone in October. It will become the third country—after China and India—to be home to at least 300 million people. Each 100 million has been added more quickly than the last. It took the United States more than 100 years to reach its first 100 million in 1915. After another 52 years, it reached 200 million in 1967. Less than 40 years later, it is set to hit the 300-million mark. Within another 37 years, we are projected to pass 400 million. Since 1967, we Americans have seen considerable change in who we are and how we live. Join in an online discussion to look at some of the major changes, including the decline in household size, rise in women's labor force participation, increase in education, and growth in the number of foreign-born people. All of these trends will affect our children's future.