Lecture 15: Patterns of disease globally and over time

Question 1

Briefly describe what an ‘ageing population’ is

Answer 1

An ageing population occurs when an increasing proportion of the total population are
living longer into old age (the retirement years)

Question 2

Explain the possible implications of an ‘ageing population’.

Answer 2

Ageing well will mean this increasing proportion of a
population maintains good health for longer during old age

• Be active participants in their families and communities, as well as economically (paid
  employment)
• Contribute to society for longer and this will enable less reliance on younger age groups in the population.

Question 3

Describe the broad patterns of change in the epidemiological transitions

Answer 3

The epidemiological transition describes the change in disease burden over time.

Question 4

Describe the broad patterns of change in the demographic transition

Answer 4

The demographic transition describes the changes in population structures over time, from early transition with high birth and death rates and low total population numbers to late transition with low birth and death rates and increasing total population numbers.