European blood
11-25-2011, 11:00 PM
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(CNN) -- Last week the world welcomed its 7 billionth inhabitant. But behind the headlines is a complicated demographic picture -- and one that masks huge disparities. The current rate of growth means that there are 78 million more people every year. Nearly all of that growth -- 97 out of every 100 people - is occurring in less developed countries.
In developed nations, on the other hand, population growth rate has largely stagnated: in Japan and Europe for instance, bringing with it concerns about lower fertility and aging.
Africa's rapid population growth -- 2.3 per cent a year, double the rate of Asia's -- puts pressure on its economies as governments struggle to provide education and health services. The issue of women and children's health is one of the most pressing. Births that are too early, late or closely spaced reveal a whole host of critical issues affecting the health of Africans.
I believe the population issue in sub-Saharan Africa is one of gender. Too many women lack the freedom to exercise choice when it comes to childbearing.
Often this is a question of access. In remote locations women are forced to walk many kilometers to obtain contraceptives, and in some areas they are simply not available.
Across the world more than two in five pregnancies are unplanned. Clearly 'unmet need' for contraception is a wasted opportunity to boost development and stabilize population growth through something women want and need: the ability to decide when to become pregnant.
If all women had this ability, survey data shows, average global childbearing would immediately fall below the 'replacement fertility' value of slightly more than two children per woman.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/07/world/africa/melesse-seven-billion/index.html?hpt=iaf_t5
(CNN) -- Last week the world welcomed its 7 billionth inhabitant. But behind the headlines is a complicated demographic picture -- and one that masks huge disparities. The current rate of growth means that there are 78 million more people every year. Nearly all of that growth -- 97 out of every 100 people - is occurring in less developed countries.
In developed nations, on the other hand, population growth rate has largely stagnated: in Japan and Europe for instance, bringing with it concerns about lower fertility and aging.
Africa's rapid population growth -- 2.3 per cent a year, double the rate of Asia's -- puts pressure on its economies as governments struggle to provide education and health services. The issue of women and children's health is one of the most pressing. Births that are too early, late or closely spaced reveal a whole host of critical issues affecting the health of Africans.
I believe the population issue in sub-Saharan Africa is one of gender. Too many women lack the freedom to exercise choice when it comes to childbearing.
Often this is a question of access. In remote locations women are forced to walk many kilometers to obtain contraceptives, and in some areas they are simply not available.
Across the world more than two in five pregnancies are unplanned. Clearly 'unmet need' for contraception is a wasted opportunity to boost development and stabilize population growth through something women want and need: the ability to decide when to become pregnant.
If all women had this ability, survey data shows, average global childbearing would immediately fall below the 'replacement fertility' value of slightly more than two children per woman.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/07/world/africa/melesse-seven-billion/index.html?hpt=iaf_t5