Characteristics of countries, HD and the HDI Flashcards
Unit 4, Deck 1.
What measurement is used to classify countries based on income?
Gross National Income per capita
*CANNOT SAY GNI
*MUST HAVE PER CAPITA
What is GNI per capita?
Gross National Income refers to the total value of goods and services a country’s citizens produce divided by the population/per person in the population.
(Essentially average income.)
List three characteristics of low income countries
- low average incomes/high levels of poverty
- limited range of industries
- low access to safe water
- low access to adequate sanitation
- low access to food/high levels of food insecurity
- low education levels
- under-established healthcare systems
- high levels of inequality/discrimination
*THESE ARE NOT HEALTH STATUS INDICATORS
List three characteristics of middle income countries
- medium average incomes/intermediate levels of poverty
- medium range of industries
- intermediate access to safe water
- intermediate access to adequate sanitation
- moderate access to food/medium levels of food security
- medium education levels
- medium level healthcare systems
- moderate levels of inequality/discrimination
*THESE ARE NOT HEALTH STATUS INDICATORS
List three characteristics of high income countries
- high average incomes/low levels of poverty
- wide range of industries
- high access to safe water
- high access to adequate sanitation
- high access to food/high levels of food security
- high education levels
- well established healthcare systems
- lower levels of inequality/discrimination
*THESE ARE NOT HEALTH STATUS INDICATORS
What are communicable diseases?
diseases that can be spread/exchanged between people (i.e. infectious and parasitic diseases)
Limitations of the HDI
- HDI only reflects selected aspects of human development THEREFORE does not capture the richness and depth of human development e.g. no choices, decisions, etc.
- HDI is based on averages THEREFORE does not provide an indication of the inequalities that exist within countries e.g. rural areas
- No survey data is collected THEREFORE feelings about their lives and issues facing communities are not reflected e.g. ability to participate in life of community
- Collecting data is complex and the reliability of the data challenging THEREFORE may not be accurate
Advantages of the HDI
- Takes more than just average incomes into account THEREFORE more comprehensive representation of the level of HD experienced
- HDI is a composite statistic and as a result provides a single statistic THEREFORE making comparisons with regards to the level of HD between countries easier
- HDI is effective for analysing overall progress with regards to HD over time THEREFORE helpful to evaluate programs aimed to promote HD
- HDI has captured the attention of media, policy makers, etc raising awareness THEREFORE promotes questioning and revision of policy choices
What are non-communicable diseases?
lifestyle diseases that cannot be spread/exchanged between people.
Describe the “double burden of disease”
When conditions associated with both poverty and wealth exist side by side in one population
- e.g. undernutrition and obesity
- e.g. communicable diseases such as cholera, alongside non-communicable diseases such as CVD
(as a result of globalisation)
What is Human Development?
Creating an environment in which people can develop to their full potential and lead productive, creative lives in accordance with their needs and interests. It is about expanding people’s choices and enhancing capabilities (the range of things people can be and do), having access to knowledge, health and a decent standard of living, and participating in the life of their community and decisions affecting their lives.
What is the Human Development Index?
A tool developed by the United Nations to measure and rank countries’ level of social and economic development.
A single statistic (between 0-1) based on three DIMENSIONS:
- a long and healthy life
- knowledge
- a decent standard of living
and four INDICATORS:
- life expectancy at birth
- mean and expected years of schooling
- Gross National Income per capita
What measurement is used to classify countries based on their level of human development or social and economic development?
Human Development Index
*CANNOT SAY HDI
What is life expectancy at birth?
The number of years a person can expect to live (calculated at birth) IF MORTALITY RATES DO NOT CHANGE
What is mean years of schooling?
The average number of years of schooling achieved by those 25 and over.
