Population Reference Bureau PRB Discuss

Population and Climate Change: What Is the Link?

Climate change may adversely affect the population in many parts of the globe, in particular in developing countries where there is still substantial population growth. How do population dynamics figure into the conversations about climate? The contribution of population to climate change has been widely debated, and it is getting more attention leading up to the international meeting on climate in Copenhagen in December 2009. Join Karen Hardee, vice president of research at Population Action International, as she answers your questions about population and adaption to (or mitigation of) the effects of climate change. She will address the role of family planning and reproductive health and the population component in the current global discussions of climate change.

Marriage Is Good for Your Health

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.

Linda Waite

Does a Young Age Structure Thwart Democratic Governments?

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.

Karen Hardee

Richard Cincotta

Does Climate Change Threaten Our Cities?

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.

Mark Montgomery

The Fight to Stop Honor Killings

"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.

Rana Husseini

Child Poverty in America

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.

William P. O'Hare

World Population: 7 Billion on the Horizon

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.

Nafissatou Diop

Africa's Future: Improving the Health of Mothers and Children

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.