Society and health

DEMOGRAPHY

Demography

• POPULATION- number of people inhabiting a space/area, measured by a CENSUS by government.

• DEMOGRAPHY- study of characteristics of human populations, size, growth, vital statistics.

• Population patterns and trends in the UK- declining fertility rate, declining death rates, migration into UK is increasing, working-age population is decreasing, more women working and choosing to have less children, advances in hygiene and medicine, cultural expectations- birth rate.

• Activity 1- page 3

Population patterns and trends

• There are several important factors that influence population patterns and trends. These are:

• Declining birth rates- less women having babies, or if they are they are having no more than 1.

• Declining mortality rates- people generally are living longer.• Migration into the UK- we live in a multicultural society.• Working age population is increasing- you have to work longer now to get a

pension.• Role of women in society- more working outside home and choosing to have

children later in life.• Advances in hygiene and medicine- reduced mortality rate.• Religious beliefs- catholic women use contraception although against

religion.• Cultural expectations- acceptable to have small family.

Implications for society of the changing population.

• 3 areas:

• Implications for individuals- increased life expectancy, greater need for health care- burden of dependency, more people living alone due to choice and circumstance, increased retirement age so people make more contributions to a pension, increased ownership of goods and demand for services- expenditure on leisure services continues to rise.

• Implications for the family- smaller families and therefore a rise in standard of living, fewer primary schools- threatened by the falling birth rate, changes in caring roles- both parents looking after elderly relatives, grandparents taking on child care.

Implications for society.

• Implications for society- increased demand and cost for health and social care- care homes and voluntary services, more dependency on the working population- dependency ratio is increasing, increased need for housing especially specialist accommodation like retirement flats and residential accommodation, influence on culture- leisure and social activities need to be available, a shortage of young people- replacement level not being met- immigration is the solution to this problem, greater mobility- people moving- pressure for more housing, age of the workforce is rising, increased poverty- state pension is inadequate.

• Activity 4/ exam questions- page 6 and 7•