Struggling Economy Likely Culprit for Record Low Birth Rates

Birth rates in the U.S. have dropped for the third year in a row, with experts speculating that the continued decline is due to a tough American economy.

Birth rates in the U.S. have dropped for the third year in a row, and teen births haves plummeted. Experts speculate that the continued decline is due to a tough American economy.

According to the latest report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the birth rate among all races, and the majority of age groups, is down 3 percent from last year’s all time low.

The most significant decline was noted for teens aged 15 to 19, and women aged 20 to 24, for whom rates plunged by 9 percent and 6 percent, respectively. These rates now mark the lowest recorded since government tracking began in 1946-47.

In addition, birth rates for unmarried women fell by 4 percent, and the rate of cesarean-section birth leveled off for the first time since 1996. After rising from 21 percent in 1996 to 32.9 percent in 2009, the rate dropped slightly to 32.8 in 2010.

While the decline in birth rates for 2008 and 2009 led to suspicions that the economy was driving the downturn, the reported rates for 2010 leave little doubt. The trend began with the onset of the recession in 2007, after birth rates hit an all-time record high of more than 4.3 million, and it has continued as women face financial worries that have forced them to put their plans for starting a family on hold, and make the tough decision not to have another child.

In 2008, the number of American births declined to about 4.2 million, followed by a drop to 4.1 million in 2009. According to the CDC report for 2010, the number of births has now decreased to a little more than 4 million.

Other findings of the report revealed a continuing decline in the number of premature births occurring at less than 37 weeks of gestation. The preterm birth rate fell for the fourth straight year in 2010, to just fewer than 12 percent of all births, which accounts for a 6 percent drop since 2006.

For women 40 years of age an older, a slight increase was seen in the number of births, from 10 births per 1,000 women in 2009, to 10.2 births per 1,000 women in 2010. The rate marks the highest for this age group since 1967.

The increase may be due in part to women opting for having a child though financial stressors are still in play, because they wish to conceive while they are still biologically able to due so prior to the onset of menopause.

Otherwise, the total fertility rate dropped from an average rate of 2.1 to 1.9. This rate reflects the expected number of births for a woman based on the continuation of the current birth rate. For Hispanic women, the drop in fertility rate was highly significant, plunging from nearly 3 to 2.4.

While the economy undoubedly plays a large role in the overall decline in birth rates, many experts agree that such factors as increased access to contraceptives, and the success of pregnancy awareness campaigns also play a part.

Read more »

Posted in: HEALTH

Osteoporosis Prevention and Therapies

With an aging population, and an increase in incidence of osteoporosis, prevention id definitely the best medicine.

With an aging Baby Boomer population, a significant portion of American women have or are facing the possibility of osteoporosis. In fact, approximately 10 million currently have osteoporosis and another 34 million are at risk. Many are asking what they can do to avoid developing the thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density that can develop over time.

EmpowerHer has come up with some great ways to prevent the onset of osteoporosis.

According to the article by Dr. Daemon Jones, “the best defense is to create and maintain dense strong bones. Studies have shown that weight-bearing and resistance exercises help to build muscle mass and bone strength.” So continuing or beginning a fitness regime should be at the top of the list in avoiding osteoporosis.

There are also important supplements that can help, chiefly daily calcium (1,200 mg) and vitamin D (1,000 IU). Also of importance, according to Dr. Jones, is boron, copper, fluoride, phosphorus, iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin K and zinc. Many of these can be found in everyday foods and do not require supplements. Your diet should consist of plenty of dairy, green leafy vegetables, fish, and calcium-fortified products.

Utilizing fitness, diet, and supplement regimes are considered the best options, although if osteoporosis has already begun, there are drug therapies that can slow the rate of bone loss or even increase bone thickness. Typical among them are biphosphonates, such as Fosamax and Boniva, and Denosumab, also known as Prolia. There are also estrogen-based drugs, parathyroid medications, and calcitonin, which helps to regulate calcium levels.

If you have any high risk factors—family history, low body weight, drug or alcohol use—osteoporosis screening is essential after the age of 50. Screening is also done routinely in women over the age of 65.T

Read more »

Posted in: HEALTH