Aging Society and the Selected Aspects of Environmental Threats: Evidence from Poland

Elżbieta Sobczak, Bartosz Bartniczak and Andrzej Raszkowski
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Elżbieta Sobczak: Department of Regional Economy, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, Nowowiejska 3, 58-500 Jelenia Góra, Poland
Bartosz Bartniczak: Department of Quality and Environmental Management; Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, Nowowiejska 3, 58-500 Jelenia Góra, Poland
Andrzej Raszkowski: Department of Regional Economy, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, Nowowiejska 3, 58-500 Jelenia Góra, Poland

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 11, 1-22

Abstract: The article addresses problems of population aging in Poland and the selected environmental hazards exerting a negative impact on seniors’ health. The introduction presents the reasons underlying the above-mentioned aging process and provides the characteristics of the primary environmental threats. The next part covers the most important trends and indicators related to the demographic situation in the country. The core of the study is focused on presenting and interpreting the results of empirical research on the periodization of the population aging process in Poland, in the years 2004–2019, using the multidimensional statistical analysis method including, in particular, the data classification method. The key demographic factors differentiating the development phases of the population aging process include, in order of their significance: longer life expectancy of the population, narrowed gross reproduction rate, declining birth rate, and total migration balance. In addition, the article provides the analysis of the selected environmental threats’ impact on population aging in Poland, among which the following were indicated: high temperatures, solar conditions, heavy rainfall, strong winds, droughts, and fires. Moreover, the process of longer life expectancy in fine health is essentially related to two issues: the level of medical care, with particular attention paid to check-ups and preventive measures, and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. In summary, it should be highlighted that the elimination of all pollutants or the reasons of environmental hazards is not possible; however, the actions primarily focused on reducing the emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere and other forms of environmental pollution should definitely be taken.

Keywords: natural environment; sustainable development; society; aging; environmental hazards; periodization; multidimensional statistical analysis; Ward’s method; Poland (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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