Trends in Health--Ecological Consequences for the Human Population

Rapid health changes in the U.S. and other industrialized nationsof the world during the twentieth century are being roughlyparalleled in the developing nations, some decades later. Thesechanges include the reduction of communicable diseases, a strikingdecrease in infant mortality and lower death rates through theage-span, and the emergence and decline of the "modern" epidemicssuch as coronary heart disease. Increase in life expectancyat birth and at age 65 is one immediate and already measurableimpact of these trends. Making several assumptions about thefuture health of mankind, such as no devastating virus diseaseepidemics and no further nuclear warfare, one can project threeconsequences of the health trends described: (1) an almost verticalage-structure of the population, rather than the previous andpresent pyramidal shape; (2) greater social and individual attentionto maintaining health, beyond combatting major diseases; and(3) gradual dissolution of the barriers to association amongthe peoples of the world.