Underweight, Undernutrition, and the Aging (PDF: 72KB)
This e-newsletter is the eighth in a series funded by the University of Michigan Demography Center. This issue, "Underweight, Undernutrition, and the Aging," highlights National Institute on Aging-funded research and other research that examine the importance of nutrition to the elderly and the prevalence of underweight and undernutrition among this group; and it suggests measures to address this issue at the individual and population levels. (October 2007) 

The Growing Color Divide in U.S. Infant Mortality
How one fares in the United States has been characterized by a racial division that begins at birth with disparities in health care. Inadequate health care can have a significant effect on the future social and economic path of newborns. Despite continued improvements in the health of the African American population, black babies are still nearly 2.5 times more likely than white babies to die before reaching their first birthday. To make matters worse, recent data show rising infant mortality among blacks in some states. (October 2007)

Are Developing Countries Ready to Tackle the Health Problems of Older People?
As more people in developing countries reach 60 and beyond—having made it safely past the threat of infectious disease, malnutrition, and pregnancy or childbirth-related complications—many countries will face new challenges. A top priority: How will they fight the chronic diseases and conditions that older people tend to succumb to? (October 2007)

Trends in Disability at Older Ages (PDF: 76KB)
This e-newsletter is the seventh in a series funded by the University of Michigan Demography Center. This issue, "Trends in Disability at Older Ages" highlights National Institute on Aging-funded research and other recent research that explores the impact of conflicting trends (declining old-age disability and increasing obesity) on disability rates and health care costs. (September 2007)

The Impact of Climate Change on Water, Sanitation, and Diarrheal Diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean
Water and sanitation play a crucial role in the transmission of diarrheal disease. These environmental factors contribute to approximately 94 percent of the 4 billion cases of diarrhea that the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates to occur globally each year. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), roughly 77,600 children under the age of 5 die each year from diarrhea and its complications. Although 16 of the 33 countries in the LAC region are on track to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for sanitation and clean water, countries in LAC still need to extend water and sanitation access to an additional 6.1 million and 8.4 million people, respectively, to fully meet the MDG targets. (September 2007)

PRB Discuss Online: "The Unfinished Agenda of Global Health"
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. What is the burden of disease in the developing world? What are cost-effective ways in different settings of addressing that burden? Richard Skolnik, director of international programs at PRB, led this PRB Discuss Online. Read a transcript of the questions and answers. (August 2007)

2007 World Population Data Sheet Webcast
PRB's 2007 World Population Data Sheet was released at a press briefing at the National Press Club, in Washington, DC, on Aug. 16, 2007. This year's theme: "Malnutrition Is a Major Contributor to Child Deaths." (August 2007)

Disability and Aging
The rates of old-age disability have declined in recent decades, and it is expected that Americans will live longer before disability sets in than is true today. The reasons for the decline in disability are complex, and the promising trend could be countered by the rise in obesity. (August 2007)

World Population Highlights 2007: Malnutrition
Malnutrition is an underlying cause of disease and death in poor countries. In fact, about 56 percent of child deaths are associated with malnutrition. Despite progress in reducing stunting and underweight in some regions, about 30 percent of all children in low- and middle-income countries are underweight. In addition, the rate of stunting (low height for age) in some places, such as parts of India, is between 50 and 60 percent. Moreover, more than 2 billion people worldwide suffer from deficiencies in micronutrients, or key vitamins and minerals. This article is excerpted from the Population Bulletin: "World Population Highlights: Key Findings From PRB's 2007 World Population Data Sheet." (September 2007)

World Population Highlights: Key Findings From PRB's 2007 World Population Data Sheet (PDF: 945KB)

 This Population Bulletin is the companion report to PRB's 2007 World Population Data Sheet. The Bulletin highlights key findings from the data sheet on: world population trends, malnutrition, environment, HIV/AIDS, urbanization, and migration. (BUL62.3, September 2007)