The Demography and Population research program in the Department of Biostatistics was first established in 1965. The research-training program has received continuous support from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development for over thirty years. The objective of this research program is to conduct biostatistical research on problems related to size, structure, distribution, and changes in human populations; this includes analysis of determinants and consequences of the basic demographic variables fertility, mortality and migration. The collaborative research in this area is enhanced by the participation of the Biostatistics faculty in the Statistical Services Core of the Carolina Population Center of UNC. The population research in the Department of Biostatistics is also tied to the Department's Survey Research Center which conducts research in the area of design and analysis of population based sample surveys. The research in the population area is also tied to the Spatial Analysis Unit of the Carolina Population Center. Biostatistics faculty members use this facility to conduct research on spatial and temporal patterns in demographic events and also to study population-environment interactions.