Read the following paragraph and answer the questions that follow :
Urbanisation, defined as the increase in the number of cities and urban population, is not only a demographic movement but also includes social, economic, and psychological changes that constitute the demographic movement. It is a process that leads to the growth of cities due to industrialisation and economic development. The rapid increase in urban population worldwide is one among the important global health issues of the 21st century. According to the projections of the United Nations Population Division, by 2030, more people in the developing world will live in urban than rural areas; by 2050, two-thirds of the population will likely be urban. The scenario in India is also affected by this trend. In India, approximately 28% of the population lives in cities and this is expected to increase to 41% by the year 2025.
Urbanisation brings with it a unique set of advantages and disadvantages. This demographic transition is accompanied by economic growth and industrialisation, and by profound changes in social organisation and in the pattern of family life. Urbanisation affects mental health through the influence of increased stressors and factors, such as overcrowded and polluted environment, high levels of violence, and reduced social support.
The movement of population to urban areas has led to large number of older men and women left to look after themselves in the rural areas, while the young generation lives in the cities for livelihood. This also leads to less availability of caregivers for old people. The impact of urbanisation is associated with an increase in mental disorders. The reason is that the movement of people to urban areas requires more facilities to be made available for them and for the infrastructure to grow. This does not happen in proportion to the increase in population. Hence, lack of adequate infrastructure increases the risk of poverty and exposure to environmental adversities. Further, this also decreases social support as nuclear families increase in number.
Urbanisation is, thus, seen as a natural corollary of growth. The awareness of the impact of urbanisation on health, more so on mental health, will act as a facilitator of change in the growing Indian economy.
1. Define urbanisation.
a. The increase in the number of cities and urban population.
b. The increase in the numbers of caregivers in urban areas.
c. The decrease in economic growth and industrialisation.
d. The decrease in stressors.
2. Low does urbanisation affect mental health?
a. Through increased social support.
b. Through the influence of increased stressors and factors.
c. Through increase in caregivers in rural areas.
d. Through accelerated growth in infrastructure.
3. Among the important global health issues of the 21st century is the rapid increase in worldwide :
a. demographic movement.
b. psychological changes.
c. urban population.
d. economic changes.
4 . A unique set of advantages and disadvantages accompanies :
a. industrialisation.
b. demographic transition.
c. polluted environment.
d. urbanisation.
5. Through the influence of increased stressors and factors, urbanisation affects :
a. mental health.
b. economic growth.
c. global health.
d. industrialisation.
6. Besides exposure to environmental adversities, lack of adequate infrastructure increases the risk of :
a. violence.
b. poverty.
c. mental illness.
d. reduced social support.
7. In India, approximately 28% of the India’s population lives in cities and this is expected to increase to______ by the year 2025.
a. 50%
b. 65%
c. 41%
d. 70%
8. The movement of the young generation to the cities for livelihood has led to an increase in the caregivers for old people.
a. TRUE
b. FALSE
9. Urbanisation is seen as a natural corollary of growth.
a. TRUE
b. FALSE
10. Urbanisation affects physical health through the influence of increased stressors and factors, such as overcrowded and polluted environment, high levels of violence, and reduced social support.
a. TRUE
b. FALSE
