Mather, M., Jacobsen, L. A., & Pollard, K. M. (2015). Aging in the United States . Population Bulletin, 70 (2). Retrieved from https://www.prb.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/aging-us-population-bulletin-1.pdf
The article under critical review is a report authored by Mather, Jacobsen, and Pollard –published by the Population Reference Bureau organization in 2015. Elaborately, Mark Mather and Linda Jacobsen are associate vice presidents in US Programs at the Population Reference Bureau. On the other hand, Kelvin Pollard is a senior demographer in US Programs at the Population Reference Bureau as well. Thus, given their reputable expertise in their respective fields, their contribution to the topic which deals with population census statistics makes the report reputable. Therefore, the report is competently and expertly composed.
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As part of its strength, the article introduces the topic with a great hook in terms of statistics regarding the population trends for the old aged sixty-five years and above in the US. Moreover, the article fundamentally makes use of infographics including tables, maps, charts, graphs, and figures to elaborate on the population statistics being proffered or discussed. This phenomenon is essential because it encourages understanding or comprehension to the reader whereby he or she can correlate the visual information in terms of diagrams and figures to the corresponding explanations. Moreover, the report is divided into descriptive sections such as “racial and ethnic composition” or “size and age trends” which give direction to the demographic data to be discussed in that section. Also, in terms of literature, the article provides vital information such as reasons for unhealthy aging such as smoking or challenges, especially those facing older adults with disabilities. Ultimately, the report gives credit to other sources, especially those dealing with additional statistical data outside the Population Reference Bureau and subsequently listing them on a reference page.
On the flip side, the report evidences some inherent weaknesses. For instance, despite the information provided being relevant and salient, the report proffers bulky information and data regarding different topic areas including diseases common among the elderly such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, other conditions such as obesity are implicated in the report including statistics on labor force from college-educated Americans. As such, it is difficult or challenging for the reader to concentrate or put their minds in one subject area. Thus, due to this phenomenon, the report is unable to make adequate subjective or specific recommendations on a single subject matter despite presenting a working conclusion.
In conclusion, despite the drawbacks, the report is competently written with scholarly authority making its upshots generalizable to the entire US aging population. Furthermore, given its authority, the strengths outweigh the weaknesses making it a good read and a reputable source of information.
References
Mather, M., Jacobsen, L. A., & Pollard, K. M. (2015). Aging in the United States . Population Bulletin, 70 (2). Retrieved from https://www.prb.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/aging-us-population-bulletin-1.pdf
