đź“– Sub-Saharan Africa Tops Adult Illiteracy Rate. Global Deforestation Drops 5%. Physicians in the US.
Chart of the Day #270 looks at Africa's illiteracy rate, Global deforestation, and Physicians in the US
Kia ora 🥝
2024 was marked by record-breaking extreme weather events fueled by climate change. The year saw unprecedented global temperatures, with average temperatures exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time. This rise in temperatures contributed to more intense heat waves, droughts, wildfires, and powerful tropical cyclones.
Today's Topics
đź“– Literacy Rate. Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest illiteracy rate at 32.3%
🌳 Deforestation. Global deforestation rate down 5%
👨‍⚕️ Health workforce. Majority of physicians in the US are aged >55
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đź“– Sub-Saharan Africa Had the Highest Illiteracy Rate at 32.3%
Sub-Saharan Africa faces a high illiteracy rate of approximately 32.3%, driven by factors such as education exclusion, inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages, and socioeconomic challenges like poverty and conflict. Initiatives like the Centre for the Promotion of Literacy in Sub-Saharan Africa (CAPOLSA) have been launched to improve education infrastructure, enhance teacher training, and promote gender equality in education. International and local organizations are also providing financial support to schools in underserved areas. These efforts aim to create a more inclusive and effective education system, ultimately reducing illiteracy rates and improving educational outcomes across the region.
🌳 Global Deforestation Rate Down 5%
The global deforestation rate decreased by approximately 5% between 1990 and 2020. The tropics experienced the highest deforestation rates, with over 85% of the global forest loss occurring in these regions. Global efforts to conserve and restore forests have been evident in the Paris Agreement, encouraging countries to work together to reduce activities that lead to deforestation, such as logging and agriculture.
👨‍🔬 Majority of Physicians in the US are Aged >55
The age distribution of physicians in the US shows a significant trend towards an older workforce. This aging trend is evident across various specialties, with pulmonary disease having the highest share of doctors aged 55 and above at 92.4%, followed by preventive medicine at 71.4% and diagnostic radiology at 56.4%. The aging physician workforce raises concerns about potential shortages as many physicians approach retirement age, which could exacerbate existing healthcare access challenges, particularly in rural areas.
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