Final answer:
Since 2004, Africa has experienced a mixture of economic growth and serious health and climatic challenges. Advances in public health have improved global population growth rates, but diseases like HIV/AIDS and recent climate impacts, particularly droughts, have threatened progress and raised concerns about food security.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the decade since 2004, Africa has not experienced a one-dimensional change. While there has been economic growth in some parts of the continent, there have also been health challenges and climatic impacts that have affected the standard of living. Public health advancements and sanitation improvements have generally reduced death rates globally, contributing to human population growth in the past 200 years. However, sub-Saharan Africa has faced significant health issues, such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which has drastically affected life expectancy and economic outcomes.
Despite the progress in reducing new HIV infections and deaths due to antiretroviral treatments, the number of people living with HIV remains high, with the majority residing in sub-Saharan Africa. Infectious diseases and climate change have taken a heavy toll on the continent's prosperity, with recent droughts and potential famines impacting agricultural productivity and threatening food security. While Africa has not returned to widespread famine since 2004, recent droughts raise the concern of potential food crises without substantial humanitarian aid.
Overall, the scenario in Africa is complex, with both positive developments in economic areas and serious challenges due to health crises and environmental changes.