Introduction
Certain factors such as poverty, poor health conditions, rapid industrialization, and lack of food safety measures explain why life expectancy is too low in the developing world. Many people in the developing world do not have access to clean water or “uncontaminated” food. Rapid industrialization explains why many countries have a low life expectancy. As described in this paper, rapid industrialization and food safety standards are the major causes of low life expectancy in the developing world.
Food Safety Standards
Food safety is a key pillar towards a better life. Different governments use various standards to ensure their citizens consume uncontaminated food. Poor food handling and storage results in poisoning.
Food marketers and producers cannot adopt such “food standards” especially in the developing world. Many people in these countries prepare food using “unhygienic” methods (Condrad, 2000). Some traditional methods of food production are also “dirty”. These examples explain why many people continue to consume “unhealthy” foods. Lack of proper safety measures during preparation, storage, and handling explains why people consume contaminated food (Al-Kandari & Jukes, 2012).
Such foods are the only sources of livelihood to many people in the developing world. The number of people dying in the underdeveloped world after consuming “unhealthy” foods or substances is on the rise (Baumgartner, 2000). Many people in the developing world also live below the poverty line. These people do not worry about “food safety standards” because the food itself is a problem.
The first solution to this problem is to educate every person in the developing world about the importance of proper food production and preparation practices. By so doing, more people will embrace the importance of consuming healthy foods. The targeted people will reduce chances of food poisoning and eventually increase their life expectancy.
Many citizens are living in absolute poverty (Baumgartner, 2000). This fact explains why many people in the developing world do not care about food safety or poisoning. The government should therefore empower such people by providing healthy food substances to them.
The government should also encourage its people to follow modern “procedures” of food preparation. The government should also implement the best measures and practices to ensure people handle and store food properly. These laws and policies will encourage more people to consume uncontaminated food (Baumgartner, 2000). Citizens should always consume clean food and water. This approach will reduce chances of poisoning and eventually increase life expectancy.
Rapid Industrialization
Industrialization affects different ecological systems and zones in a negative manner. Many countries in Latin America, East Asia, and Africa are currently experiencing the benefits of industrialization. As well, such countries are experiencing fast “rural-to-urban” migration. More people are embracing the use of modern cars, energy, and gadgets.
Any progress arising from industrialization causes pollution and environmental degradation. These practices reduce a person’s life expectancy. For example, increased levels of smog in China are responsible for increased cases of lung diseases including cancer (Zheng & Kahn, 2013). The developing world continues to encounter new challenges such as pollution.
Most of these pollutants are toxic to human beings and the environment. The world is becoming unsustainable as every country strives to compete in the global market. The process has increased the amount of pollutants in the natural environment. As Zheng and Kahn (2013) observes, more people continue to die at a younger age in the undeveloped world.
Many people in “developing” world do not care about their environment. This is the case because every individual is working hard to become successful. The wave of industrialization continues to pollute and contaminate both water and air.
That being the case, the government should implement new policies to monitor the behavior of certain companies (Condrad, 2000). Every person should use the best agricultural practices to reduce pollution. It is also necessary to make the environment sustainable. People should be encouraged to conserve and recycle every resource they have.
Although industrialization is a good thing, every person should make the best decisions about the process (Zheng & Kahn, 2013). There is need for businesses and individuals to recycle different materials and use “sustainable” sources of energy. The government should educate its people about the best practices towards a sustainable universe. This strategy will increase the level of life expectancy.
Conclusion
According to Zheng and Kahn (2013), the gap between the developing world and the developed world in terms of industrial and economic capacities is getting smaller. However, most of the practices associated with economic development have certain negative implications. Rapid industrialization is capable of lowering people’s life expectancy due to pollution and environmental degradation.
Many people in the developing world are facing “food insecurity” and “poor safety standards”. Governments should put in place the best policies to control pollution and improve “food-handling” practices.
Reference List
Al-Kandari, D & Jukes, D 2012, ‘The food control system in Saudi Arabia – Centralizing food control activities’, Food Control, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 33-46
Baumgartner, P 2000, ‘Food safety’, Australian Journal Of Nutrition & Dietetics, vol. 57, no. 4, pp. 227-228.
Condrad, W 2000, ‘Fresh Ideas for Food Safety’, Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 108, no.11, p. 516
Zheng, S & Kahn, M 2013, ‘Understanding China’s Urban Pollution Dynamics’, Journal Of Economic Literature, vol. 51, no. 3, pp. 731-772.