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Why Are Americans Getting Older?

In 2000, persons sixty-five years and over already represented 13 percent of the total population in America, and by 2025, there will be 59 million elderly Americans, representing 21 percent of the population of the United States. Furthermore, the percentage of the population over age eighty-five will increase from about 1 percent currently to 5 percent in 2050. This population trend has been referred to as the graying of America. (I)

To explain this demographic change, we must look to three factors. Fertility, mortality, and immigration in large part influence all demographic trends and the graying of America is no exception. The large number of children born after World War II will increase the pool of elderly between 2010 and 2030. The “baby boom” will have become the “senior boom" sixty-five years later as this large segment of the population ages. (A) (II)

Although the increase in the birth rate is the most dramatic factor, the decline in the death rate is also significant. Medical advances have influenced life expectancy. Antibiotics and drug therapies as well as new surgical techniques have made a significant contribution. (B) In addition, technological devices for diagnosis and treatment have saved and extended lives. For example, whereas only 40 percent of those Americans born in 1900 had a life expectancy of sixty-five, in the year 2000, 80 percent reached the classic retirement age. The average male life span in 2000 was 71 years and increased to 73.3 by 2005. Among females, the life span increased from 78.3 years in 2000 to 81.3 years by 2005. (C) (III)

In addition, immigration has contributed to the increasing number of elderly. After World War I, a massive immigration of young adults of child-bearing age occurred. Because the customs and traditions of the immigrants encouraged large families, and birth rates among this specialized population were very high, (D) their children, now among the elderly, are currently a significant segment of the older population. (IV)

[question text="Which of the following would be an alternative title for the passage? " answers=" The Graying of America#Immigration Patterns in America#Trends in Life Expectancy#Baby Boomers "]

[question text="The average life expectancy for an American woman in 2000 was " answers=" 71.4 years#73.3 years#78.3 years#81.3 years "]

[question text="The word “pool” in Part II is closest in meaning to " answers=" a group of people#a general direction#a negative attitude#an increase in influence "]

[question text="The word “trends” in Part II is closest in meaning to " answers=" many questions#small mistakes#final conclusions#general directions "]

[question text="The word “their” in Part IV refers to " answers=" families#elderly#immigrants#birth rates "]

[question text="Where in the passage does the author explain what has influenced life expectancy? " answers=" Lines A#Lines B#Lines C#Lines D "]

[question text="What does the author mean by the statement in Part III: “Although the increase in the birth rate is the most dramatic factor, the decline in the death rate is also significant”?" answers=" Both the increase in births and the decrease in deaths are significant.#The higher number of births is less significant than the decrease in deaths.#Lower birth rates and higher death rates have had dramatic results.#A significant change in the number of births has balanced the change of death rates "]

[question text="When will the number of elderly people exceed 20 percent of the population? " answers=" 2010#2020#2025#2030"]

[question text="The author mentions all of the following as factors that have influenced population trends EXCEPT " answers=" the “baby boom” after World War II#the immigration after World War I#the improvements in health care#the decline in the birth rate among young Americans "]

[question text="It can be inferred from the passage that the word “gray” is a reference to " answers=" the hair color typical of older people#the last name of the person who has studied the population trends#the diversity of colors in the population that mix to make gray#the dismal outlook for the future because of population trends "]

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