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Kim CY, Chung SH. Demographic transition in South Korea: implications of falling birth rates. Clin Exp Pediatr 2024; 67:498-509. [PMID: 38938042 PMCID: PMC11471922 DOI: 10.3345/cep.2023.01599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
This review examines the critical issues of declining total fertility rates (TFRs) and aging populations in East Asia with special focus on South Korea. It provides a comprehensive analysis of TFR trends, aging demographics, and the policy responses of these nations to the low-fertility crisis. This study highlights the intricate tapestry of the factors contributing to these demographic shifts, including economic, social, and cultural influences. It also examines the effectiveness of various prenatal policies implemented across these countries, offering insight into their successes and limitations. Furthermore, it explores the role of immigration as a potential solution to the structural challenges posed by low birth rates. This review underscores the importance of multifaceted strategies for addressing the complex demographic challenges faced by South Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chae Young Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung-Hoon Chung
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
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Ke J, Luo B, Huang C, Tong Y, Wang Y, Li X, Ma W, Zhao L, Liao S. Associations between the number of siblings, parent-child relationship and positive youth development of adolescents in mainland China: A cross-sectional study. Child Care Health Dev 2024; 50:e13259. [PMID: 38578056 DOI: 10.1111/cch.13259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Positive development plays an important role in youth when dealing with stressful circumstances. According to the resource dilution theory, adolescents with or without siblings may receive different levels of emotional and material resources from their parents. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between the positive development of adolescents in China today with their family characteristics such as the number of siblings. METHODS A total of 2072 junior high and senior high school students (13 to 18 years old) in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, were investigated by cluster sampling. The Chinese Positive Youth Development scales (CPYDs) were used to measure positive youth development. The generalized linear model was used to explore the relationships among the number of siblings, parent-child relationships and positive youth development. RESULTS Adolescents from only-child families had better performance on positive development (H = 21.87, P < 0.001) and better relationships with parents (H = 15.1, P < 0.05). The positive development of male and female adolescents does not significantly differ in families with different numbers of siblings. The generalized linear model showed that a positive parent-child relationship is positively correlated with adolescent positive development (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Positive youth development is not only associated with the number of siblings but also other modifiable familial factors. The positive relationship between parents and adolescents is of great practical value in daily life to improve youth development, and this might be the real lesson the resource dilution theory tells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyuan Ke
- Department of Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Biru Luo
- Department of Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Chuanya Huang
- Department of Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Yunxuan Tong
- Department of Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Health Policy and Management, West China School of Public Health/West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenlin Ma
- Department of Health Policy and Management, West China School of Public Health/West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Health Policy and Management, West China School of Public Health/West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shujuan Liao
- Department of Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
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Zheng J, Wang X, Xie S, Wang H, Shen J, Zhang T. The mediating role of trust in government in intergenerational transmission of fertility intentions. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1338122. [PMID: 38496397 PMCID: PMC10941980 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1338122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
China's one-child policy was in effect from 1982 to 2015. However, the literature examining the association between people's trust in local government and intergenerational transmission of fertility intentions is scarce. To fill this gap, we investigated the impact of individuals' sibship size on their ideal number of children, the mediating effect of their trust in local government on the issue of fertility between two successive generations, and the moderating effect of education level on sibship size related to trust in local governments. Based on the 2019 Chinese Social Survey data, 2,340 respondents aged 18-35 participated in the analysis. The results showed that (i) individuals' number of siblings significantly positively predicted their ideal number of children; (ii) individuals' number of siblings significantly negatively predicted their trust in the local government, which in turn significantly negatively influenced fertility intentions; (iii) the mediating mechanism was significant in residents with higher levels of education, but not in people with lower degrees of education. Fertility-boosting incentives can prioritize couples who are the only child in their family. It is necessary for local governments to improve their credibility and strengthen their pregnancy-related communication with groups with higher levels of education.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Tao Zhang
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao, Macao SAR, China
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Feng R, Su Q, Huang X, Basnet T, Xu X, Ye W. Cancer situation in China: what does the China cancer map indicate from the first national death survey to the latest cancer registration? Cancer Commun (Lond) 2023; 43:75-86. [PMID: 36397729 PMCID: PMC9859730 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the past four decades, the Chinese government has conducted three surveys on the distribution of causes of death and built cancer registration. In order to shine a new light on better cancer prevention strategies in China, we evaluated the profile of cancer mortality over the forty years and analyzed the policies that have been implemented. METHODS We described spatial and temporal changes in both cancer mortality and the ranking of major cancer types in China based on the data collected from three national surveys during 1973-1975, 1990-1992, 2004-2005, and the latest cancer registration data published by National Central Cancer Registry of China. The mortality data were compared after conversion to age-standardized mortality rates based on the world standard population (Segi's population). The geographical distribution characteristics were explored by marking hot spots of different cancers on the map of China. RESULTS From 1973 to 2016, China witnessed an evident decrease in mortality rate of stomach, esophageal, and cervical cancer, while a gradual increase was recorded in lung, colorectal, and female breast cancer. A slight decrease of mortality rate has been observed in liver cancer since 2004. Lung and liver cancer, however, have become the top two leading causes of cancer death for the last twenty years. From the three national surveys, similar profiles of leading causes of cancer death were observed among both urban and rural areas. Lower mortality rates from esophageal and stomach cancer, however, have been demonstrated in urban than in rural areas. Rural areas had similar mortality rates of the five leading causes of cancer death with the small urban areas in 1973-1975. Additionally, rural areas in 2016 also had approximate mortality rates of the five leading causes with urban areas in 2004-2005. Moreover, stomach, esophageal, and liver cancer showed specific geographical distributions. Although mortality rates have decreased at most of the hotspots of these cancers, they were still higher than the national average levels during the same time periods. CONCLUSIONS Building up a strong primary public health system especially among rural areas may be one critical step to reduce cancer burden in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruimei Feng
- Department of EpidemiologySchool of Public HealthShanxi Medical UniversityTaiyuanShanxiP. R. China
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics & Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal CancerFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouFujianP. R. China
| | - Qingling Su
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics & Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal CancerFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouFujianP. R. China
| | - Xiaoyin Huang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics & Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal CancerFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouFujianP. R. China
| | - Til Basnet
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics & Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal CancerFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouFujianP. R. China
| | - Xin Xu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics & Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal CancerFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouFujianP. R. China
| | - Weimin Ye
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics & Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal CancerFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouFujianP. R. China
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and BiostatisticsKarolinska InstituteStockholmSweden
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Han X, Wei C, Cao GY. Aging, generational shifts, and energy consumption in urban China. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2210853119. [PMID: 36067298 PMCID: PMC9478673 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2210853119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
China is recognized as the largest energy consumer and is also the country with the largest and fastest-aging population. Ongoing demographic changes may reshape China's household-based energy consumption patterns because of the large gap in consumption behavior between the elderly and the young as well as varying attitudes toward the environment among generations. However, when the impact of China's aging population on energy consumption is projected, the heterogeneous cognitive norms of generations in the process of demographic transition are not well understood. In this study, we assessed the future impact of China's demographic transition on energy consumption using a proposed theoretical framework to distinguish between age and generational effects. Specifically, we used age-period-cohort (APC) detrended analysis to estimate age and generational effects based on China's urban household survey data from 1992 to 2015. The results indicated large differences in energy use propensity across ages and generations. The elderly and younger generations tended to be energy-intensive consumers, resulting in higher energy consumption in this aging society. Our results consequently show that future changes in China's elderly population will result in a substantial increase in energy consumption. By 2050, the changing consumption share of the elderly population will account for ∼17 to 26% of total energy consumption in the residential sector, which is close to 115 million tons of standard coal (Mtce). These findings highlight the need to interlace environmental education policies and demographic transitions to promote energy conservation behavior in children and youth for low-carbon, sustainable development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Han
- School of Applied Economics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872 P.R. China
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, 2361 Austria
| | - Chu Wei
- School of Applied Economics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872 P.R. China
| | - Gui-Ying Cao
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, 2361 Austria
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Muyayalo KP, Song S, Liu C, Gong GS, Zhang YJ, Zhou H, Shen L, Liao AH. HLA-DR + CD45RA- Tregs and CD28- Treg-like cells: Potential immunologic biomarkers for reproductive aging. Am J Reprod Immunol 2022; 89:e13591. [PMID: 35771647 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM This study aimed to identify subsets of regulatory T cells (Tregs) associated with ovarian aging and determine whether they can be used as markers of reproductive aging. METHOD This prospective cohort study was conducted among women of reproductive age. Basic physiological characteristics, reproductive hormones, Treg cell subsets, and correlations between these parameters were assessed. The POSEIDON criteria was used to identify women with low reproductive potential. RESULTS The percentages of HLA-DR+ CD45RA- Tregs and CD28- Treg-like cells significantly increased with age. Women between 40 and 49 years had significantly higher percentages of HLA-DR+ CD45RA- Tregs and CD28- Treg-like cells than those at 20-29, 30-34, and 35-39 years old. Age positively correlated with FSH levels and the percentages of HLA-DR+ CD45RA- Tregs and CD28- Treg-like cells, but inversely correlated with antral follicle count (AFC) and AMH levels. Interestingly, a positive correlation was found between the percentages of HLA-DR+ CD45RA- Tregs and FSH levels, whereas an inverse correlation was found between those of HLA-DR+ CD45RA- Tregs and AFC or AMH levels. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was observed between the percentages of CD28- Treg-like cells and AFC. Based on POSEIDON criteria, women with the percentages of HLA-DR+ CD45RA- Tregs and CD28- Treg-like cells above reference value ranges were assigned to the low prognosis groups. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that HLA-DR+ CD45RA- Tregs and CD28- Treg-like cells can be used as immunologic markers of reproductive aging, which helps clinicians identify women with low reproductive potential and establish individualized therapeutic strategies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kahindo P Muyayalo
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, D. R. Congo
| | - Su Song
- Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Medical Hospital, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Chunyan Liu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Guang-Shun Gong
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Yu-Jing Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Hui Zhou
- Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Medical Hospital, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Li Shen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Liyuan Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Ai-Hua Liao
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
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