US birth rate hits rock bottom; government pushes IVF, cash offers to boost numbers
The Trump administration has begun to act in response to the ongoing decline. In an effort to lower the cost and increase access to in vitro fertilisation (IVF), the government recently issued an executive order. Additionally, there is support for a "baby bonus."The goal of providing financial assistance is to encourage more families to expand, particularly as the cost of raising a child in the US rises.Despite these efforts, some experts say there's no need to panic.'We're seeing this as part of an ongoing process of fertility delay,' said Leslie Root, a population policy researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder. 'We know that the US population is still growing, and we still have a natural increase — more births than deaths.'MONEY, MARRIAGE, AND MODERN CHALLENGESSocial scientists believe the reasons for this decline are complex. Many women are postponing childbirth until their 30s or 40s. Some never become parents at all. Financial concerns are a major factor.'Worry is not a good moment to have kids,' said Karen Guzzo, director of the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina. 'People are marrying later and also worried about their ability to have the money, health insurance, and other resources needed to raise children in a stable environment.'The Trump administration's strategy might not go far enough, Guzzo added. IVF and baby bonuses might benefit some people, but they don't address more serious issues like the lack of paid parental leave and reasonably priced child care.'The things that they are doing are really symbolic and not likely to budge things for real Americans,' she said.The CDC's new report also found that there was a 1% increase in the total number of babies born in the US last year — about 33,000 more than the previous year. That brought the total number of births in 2024 to slightly over 3.6 million.However, there's a twist. Earlier provisional data suggested women in their late 20s and 30s were having more children. But the more complete review of birth certificates painted a different picture: birth rates actually declined for women in their 20s and early 30s, and remained the same for women in their late 30s.advertisementWhat caused the change? According to the CDC, the difference came from updated population estimates from the US Census, which are used to calculate birth rates.- EndsWith inputs from Associated Press
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Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
White House backs away from IVF coverage mandate despite Trump's campaign pledge
Bengaluru: The White House has no current plans to mandate insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization , despite U.S. President Donald Trump's campaign promise to expand access to fertility treatments, The Washington Post reported on Saturday. President Trump signed an executive order earlier this year directing the government to expand access to IVF and reduce the costs of the popular fertility treatment. White House officials say expanding IVF access remains a priority, but legal constraints prevent mandating coverage without Congressional approval, and no bill is currently planned, the report added. Reuters could not immediately verify this report. The White House did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Colon cancer sees rapid surge in young adults; US Gastroenterologist recommends 4 fruits to slash colon cancer risk
Doctors in recent years have noticed an alarming trend: colon cancer, once considered a condition primarily affecting older adults, is now being diagnosed more frequently in individuals under the age of 50. Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer, is a type of cancer that develops in the tissues of the colon or rectum. It's one of the most common types of cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Thanks to obesity and alcohol consumption, bowel cancer has become the primary cause of the rising death toll among young adults. The colon and rectum are both parts of the large intestine, which is part of the digestive system. Colorectal cancer often begins as a growth called a polyp inside the colon or rectum. Most colorectal cancers are curable when localized to the bowel. However, recurrence following surgery is a major problem and is often the ultimate cause of death. Colorectal cancer can develop when cells in the colon or rectum change and no longer behave normally. These changes can lead to precancerous conditions, such as adenomas, or colorectal cancer itself. The most common type of colorectal cancer is adenocarcinoma, which starts in the gland cells that line the colon or rectum. Colorectal cancer, the most common gastrointestinal cancer, disproportionately affects Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and Asian populations. According to the American Cancer Society , colon cancer impacts more than 100,000 Americans every year. However, healthcare providers are relentlessly trying to draw our attention to the kind of lifestyle—including dietary habits, workouts, and sleeping patterns—that could be our ally in order to prevent colon cancer, especially in young adults. In this fight to prevent this aggressive type of cancer, nature's basket must be our go-to, instead of processed and ultra-processed foods. A US-based Gastroenterologist, Joseph Salhab, D.O. , recently shared a list of nutrition-packed fruits and vegetables that have been shown to reduce colon cancer risk, per a 2023 study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology. Fruits to reduce the risk of colon cancer (when and how to eat them) Watermelon More than just a summertime favorite, watermelon may offer real health benefits, including a 26% reduction in colon cancer risk with regular consumption, according to recent findings. Gastroenterologists recommend the fruit for its high lycopene content, a powerful antioxidant believed to protect cells from damage. Best time to eat: Mid‑morning or afternoon snack, to both hydrate and curb cravings. Spruce it up: As Dr. Salhab highlights, watermelon is also incredibly hydrating, which supports digestive health and promotes regular bowel movements. Try it in savory dishes like a Watermelon, Cucumber & Feta Salad, or enjoy its natural sweetness in a refreshing No-Churn Watermelon Ice Cream. Apples The saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" may hold more truth than expected. Rich in gut-friendly fiber, apples have been shown to reduce colon cancer risk by 25% when consumed in higher amounts. They also contain polyphenols, which Dr. Salhab notes offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Best time to eat: Raw as breakfast or after lunch. Spruce it up: Apples are not only portable and satisfying on their own, but also versatile in meals, from salads and overnight oats to a classic snack with peanut butter for a fiber and protein-rich combo. Kiwi With a potential to lower colorectal cancer risk by 13% , kiwi is another fruit that shines in both nutrition and taste. Dr. Salhab calls it an excellent source of fiber, helping to support digestion. It's also loaded with vitamin C, which plays a role in immune function, heart health, and skin repair. Best time to eat: With breakfast or as part of fruit bowls to kickstart digestion. Spruce it up: While kiwi adds brightness to fruit salads and yogurt bowls, it also pairs beautifully with savory fare, like in Easy Fish Tacos with Kiwi Salsa. Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes) Including more citrus fruits in your diet, such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, and tangerines, may also contribute to lower colon cancer risk, with studies showing a 9% decrease linked to higher citrus intake. These fruits are loaded with vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant to help neutralize free radicals and possibly minimize DNA damage. Best time to eat: Fresh citrus juice or whole fruit in the morning or midday. Spruce it up: Citrus also provides flavonoids, a type of polyphenol that may slow aging, reduce inflammation, and support cancer prevention. Celebrate warm weather and gut health with a Citrus Salad with Pomegranate & Mint, or repurpose scraps into a zero-waste Orange Peel Smoothie. Why fruits are a great ally in cancer prevention While dietary fiber and plant-based foods are known to reduce colorectal cancer risk, not all fruits are equal. A 2023 meta-analysis found protective associations specifically for citrus, apples, watermelon, and kiwi. Compared to a low intake: Watermelon reduced risk by 26% Apples by 25% Kiwi by 13% Citrus by 9%, with an optimal intake of around 120 g/day However, it is important to note that while fruit can play a supportive role, no single food can prevent or cure cancer. An amalgamation of protective habits, like consuming a high-fiber, plant-rich diet, combined with exercise, well-managed weight, and minimal alcohol, is essential. High-fiber, plant-rich diets are associated with significantly lower colorectal cancer risk; every extra 10 grams of fiber daily may reduce risk by about 7%. Cutting processed and red meats, sugary drinks, ultraprocessed foods, and limiting alcohol is essential, increasing risk by up to 40% in some studies. Furthermore, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly helps reduce inflammation and the risk of digestive cancer. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Mint
6 hours ago
- Mint
Healthy Living Helps the Aging Brain
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association makes a compelling case that a healthy lifestyle does an aging brain good. That might sound obvious. Eat well, exercise, challenge yourself mentally, have an active social life and you'll be better off for it. Yet researchers are just starting to offer concrete data to support the theory that making conscientious lifestyle changes can lower the risk of dementia, which is estimated to affect some 6 million Americans. But the message that people have some agency over their brain health must be paired with another one: They need help. Changing deeply ingrained habits is hard. However, the research suggests that building a supportive community around individuals could significantly improve their chances for success. The so-called 'POINTER' trial enrolled more than 2,000 participants in their 60s and 70s, all of whom were at risk for dementia. Researchers followed the volunteers over two years as they embarked on lifestyle changes. The participants had a lot of room for improvement; none of them exercised regularly, and they all had poor diets. The volunteers were divided into two groups: One set its own priorities, while the other took part in a highly structured program that included regular exercise, a specific diet, computer-based brain games, social activities and community support. Remarkably, participants in both groups saw significant improvements in their cognitive health. But the group that received the more intensive intervention held back the aging clock by even more, says Laura Baker, a gerontologist at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine and a principal investigator of the study. This large trial gives weight to a growing body of work underscoring the connection between lifestyle and cognitive health. That link was highlighted in a study commissioned by The Lancet that found nearly half of all dementia cases worldwide could be delayed or attenuated by focusing on specific aspects of our health. The Lancet team identified more than a dozen risk factors, including hearing and vision loss, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, social isolation and exposure to air pollution. There are caveats to the new findings. In an accompanying editorial, Jonathan Schott, a neurologist at the Dementia Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology in London, raised the question of whether the modest difference in benefit between the two groups was enough to justify the cost of the more rigorous intervention in a real-world setting. He also noted that further research needs to be done to determine whether improvements in brain health are sustained over time — and whether they ultimately lead to a lower incidence of dementia and a better quality of life. Answers to some of those questions are hopefully coming soon. In December, researchers will report some data from a series of side studies conducted as part of the trial, examining how various lifestyle interventions affected factors such as sleep, vascular health, gut health and markers of Alzheimer's disease in the brain. Meanwhile, the research team is following the participants for another four years to see whether folks stick with the changes they made — and determine whether even a temporary intervention can have longer-term benefits for brain health. But even before we have more data, enough evidence exists to suggest that it's long past time to give older folks more support as they age. It's not enough for doctors to give people a to-do list and hope they follow through. 'Just because you have the prescription, doesn't mean you can do it,' Baker says. People who are at risk of dementia are struggling for a reason, she says, and they both need and deserve help. The community support offered to the group that saw the most benefit in the POINTER trial was a crucial component of their success. 'The whole investigator team feels like if you were to cut out the social component, we would have nothing to report,' she says. 'We're asking people to create new habits,' and that's hard to do on your own. Phyllis Jones, a 66-year-old from Aurora, Illinois, who was part of the structured intervention group, said the peer support has given her a community and purpose. 'I gained a network of incredible people — friends, mentors, and fellow advocates,' she told reporters at a conference in Toronto where the results were unveiled. The effect of the intervention was so profound — she lowered her blood sugar and cholesterol, lost weight and relieved joint pain — that she now refers to herself as 'Phyllis-BP' (Before POINTER) and 'Phyllis-AP' (After POINTER). The question, of course, is how to recreate what Jones and others experienced within the confines of a rigorous clinical trial for older adults living in the real world. Their exact intensive program is likely to be impractical and too expensive to replicate. Moreover, the kind of community network that is embraced by one city might fall flat in another. To that end, the Alzheimer's Association — which has already invested $50 million in the study — is in the process of awarding grants to 10 cities, including the five that were in the initial trial, to understand how community-based support could work within local health care systems. Jones's experience also highlights the importance of helping people take charge of their health as they age. Both her mother and grandmother had dementia, and she believes the trial has sparked a generational shift in behavior. 'This program has transformed not only my attitudes and behaviors towards brain health, but also those of my daughter,' and in turn her granddaughter, she says. That seems like an investment worth making. More From Bloomberg Opinion: This column reflects the personal views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Lisa Jarvis is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering biotech, health care and the pharmaceutical industry. Previously, she was executive editor of Chemical & Engineering News. More stories like this are available on
