Why Population Matters, 1996.

Population growth around the world affects Americans through its impact on economy, environment, safety, and health, and the condition of the world children will inherit. The cumulative evidence is strong that current rates of population growth pose significant and interacting risks to human well-being and are a legitimate concern for Americans. The demographic case is presented for U.S. assistance to programs that help slow population growth in developing countries. Furthermore lower rates of population growth would contribute significantly to improving people's lives. The population, which numbers about 5.8 billion people, grows by nearly 90 million people each year, and it is not physically possible for population growth to continue long at today's levels. Sixteen key reasons for slowing population growth are described under the general headings of economic development, the environment, and safety and health. "Education" is key reason number 5 (pages 23-24) under the heading of Economic Development. The U.S. government currently provides its population assistance through bilateral, nongovernmental, and multilateral channels, but growth in U.S. funding for family planning and other reproductive health services has not kept pace with demand. The 30-year U.S. effort to make contraception and related health services available worldwide is threatened by misunderstandings and misinformation. An attachment explains how to write effective letters to legislators in support of population programs. (Contains 17 graphs, 2 tables, 2 figures, and 15 references.) (SLD)