Lecture 16. Ageing 1. Demographics

Question 1

What is ageing?

Answer 1

A set of gradual and spontaneous changes that occur in maturation from infant to adult

Question 2

What is ageing characterised by?

Answer 2

A progressive loss of physiological integrity, leading to impaired function and increased probability of death

Question 3

What are physical signs of ageing?

Answer 3

Wrinkles on the face and body
Sight, hearing, taste, and smell become less acute
Hair begins to thin and turn grey
Weight gain, particularly around the waist and hips
Osteoporosis - reduced bone density (especially in women)
Slower reflexes and altered gait; development of motor dysfunction
Less acute mental agility, and declining memory

Question 4

What is the percentage of the population that is >65 years old in the UK?

Answer 4

18.5%

Question 5

What is the percentage of the population that is >65 years old in Japan?

Answer 5

29%

Question 6

What is the percentage of the population that is >65 years old in Monaco?

Answer 6

35%

Question 7

What is the percentage of the population that is >65 years old in Lesotho?

Answer 7

5.6%

Question 8

What is the percentage of the population that is >65 years old in the Central African Republic?

Answer 8

3.4%

Question 9

What is lifespan?

Answer 9

The period of time in which the life events of a species typically occur

Question 10

What is maximum lifespan (tmax)?

Answer 10

The maximum period of time members of any given species can live (refers to the longest-lived known individual)

Question 11

Why did life expectancy in the Dominican Republic not change after the earthquake in 2010, but the life expectancy in neighbouring Haiti drop massively?

Answer 11

Haiti is much poorer than the Dominican Republic
Natural disasters cause mortality shocks, and poorer countries suffer most
Similarly, the Dominican Republic has very few cases of cholera unlike Haiti

Question 12

Do old people die preferentially in mortality shocks?

Answer 12

No as shown by the Finnish famine (1866-68) and the freed USA slaves arriving in Liberia (1820-40)

Question 13

How does conflict affect mortality shock?

Answer 13

Conflict causes mortality shock, but prolonged conflict stops recovery as shown in Syria. 2011 Civil War, 2013 ISIS enter Syria and the 2015 military intervention from Russia

Question 14

What also prevents life expectancy from returning to normal levels after a natural disaster?

Answer 14

Endemic diseases