Latest news with #Fertility
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
SRS data: Effective management of Covid saved lakhs of lives in UP
1 2 The recently released data of Sample Registration System (SRS) for 2021 has generated a lot of discussion on Covid deaths. There has been some delay in releasing the SRS data for 2021. Generally, when SRS data is released, health professionals focus on Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Total Fertility Rate (TFR) and Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) but a spike in the crude death rate in SRS 2021 turned the focus on excess deaths in 2021. The Civil Registration System (CRS) data has also been released, and it also shows excess deaths during the pandemic. According to the data, in 2021, highest death rate was recorded in Kerala, followed by Punjab, Odisha, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, MP, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Bihar It has been calculated from CRS data that 37.4 lakh excess deaths took place in India during the pandemic while SRS data indicates that this number was 19.7 lakh. The projection with SRS data seems more robust as the increased number in CRS could be due to the improvement in recording of deaths in states where the coverage is still not complete. Since SRS gives results based on sample survey, this is certainly a better indicator of what actually happened. Death rate is one of the simplest measures of mortality and is expressed as number of deaths per 1000 population in each time frame and region. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No dark spots, 10 years younger! Just take this from Guardian URUHIME MOMOKO Learn More Undo Though excess deaths during Covid are indicated from SRS data, a closer look reveals the performance of health systems in various states during the pandemic. The year 2019 was normal and the death rate in 2020 did not see much change though Punjab comes out as an outlier. The year 2021 saw a major change in death rates for all major states as it was the year when the second wave of Covid-19 resulted in many deaths. A change of one point in death rate gets converted into 10,000 more deaths per one crore of population. It is clearly seen that Uttar Pradesh comes out as a shining example of Covid management with a change of mere 0.5 in death rate in 2021 over 2019 despite not very robust health infrastructure. Every other major state saw a change of more than one point in death rate of 2021 as compared to the data of 2019. It can be said in retrospect that the strategies adopted by the Uttar Pradesh govt like replicating the experience of communicable diseases campaign since 2018, whole of govt and community approach, availability of sufficient medicine packets at every level including ASHAs, daily monitoring of situation by team 9 of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Integrated Control and Command Centre (ICCC) for Covid in every district and use of ivermectin etc. worked for the state and saved lakhs of lives. It speaks volumes about the dedication and effectiveness of healthcare workers and other assisting departments in the battle against Covid. Had the death rate changed by +1.5 as that for the country, it would have translated into an over 2 lakh additional deaths in UP. Had the increase been +2 as in the case of Kerala, it would have meant over 3 lakh additional deaths. The number of lives saved is an indication of the health system of UP rising to the occasion over the entire period of pandemic. Another interesting data that has emerged is that in the country as a whole, the rural area was affected more adversely as compared to the urban area as far as Covid deaths are concerned. This could have happened because of absence of focus or lack of healthcare services in the rural areas. The change in death rate in urban as well as rural areas from 2019 to 2021 is +1.5 each in the country as a whole whereas in UP, the change in death rate from 2019 to 2021 in urban area is 1.4 but the change in rural area is just 0.2. Clearly, the state with more than 70% of rural population was able to save lakhs of lives. The credit should go to the strategy of distributing medicines to anyone with symptoms without waiting for a test result in rural areas during second wave, oversight maintained and cooperation rendered by the community and the dedication and alertness of the healthcare and other workers. Even counting deaths can give us lessons for the future handling of pandemics. (Amit Mohan Prasad is a retired IAS officer and served as ACS, UP govt, during Covid pandemic. Akaash Mohan, an engineer is a data enthusiast. Views expressed are personal)
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Why is there variation in India's fertility rates?
The story so far: The Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report of 2021, released by the Office of the Registrar General of India recently, showed that India has maintained its Total Fertility Rate (TFR) at 2.0 — the same as reported in 2020. While the national average for TFR has remained the same, there is a wide regional variation in TFR data for States and Union Territories (UTs) reported independently. Which State saw highest TFR? The highest TFR was recorded in Bihar at 3.0 and the lowest was reported for West Bengal and Delhi at 1.4. The data went on to reveal that in the decade between 2009-11 and 2019-21, TFR has been on an overall decline, in States, and nationally, albeit at different rates. What does TFR measure? The SRS report calculates TFR to measure the number of children each woman in India is expected to have throughout her reproductive age, which the survey defines between 15 and 49 years. According to the report, this value is derived from other indicators for fertility — more specifically age-specific fertility rates put together through a formula. Age-specific fertility rates measure the number of children women of a particular age range are expected to have. This data is gathered as part of the SRS survey, which is the largest demographic survey conducted by India to measure various fertility and mortality indicators annually. The SRS 2021 survey was conducted across 8,842 sample units in all the States and UTs, and compiles data gathered from a sample size of about 84 lakh people. What do fertility indicators record? Within fertility indicators, the SRS report broadly measures the Crude Birth Rate (CBR), Sex Ratio at Birth, General Fertility Rate, Age-Specific Fertility Rate, and Total Fertility Rate, among other indicators. Crude Birth Rate measures number of live births per 1,000 people in the population, and General Fertility Rate measures live births per 1,000 women of reproductive age (15-49 years). The surveys also measure another indicator — Gross Reproduction Rate, which reflects the number of daughters a woman is expected to have, and who will, in turn, bear children. The report further notes that the TFR of India at 2.0 has come down below the replacement level of 2.1. The replacement level TFR is measured as the number of children each woman should have for each generation to replace the previous generation's population. According to the TFR data for 2021, just six States had TFR above the replacement level of 2.1. These were Bihar (3.0), Madhya Pradesh (2.6), Jharkhand (2.3), Uttar Pradesh (2.7), Chhattisgarh (2.2), and Rajasthan (2.4). All other States had reported a TFR at or below the replacement level. According to the SRS report, India's CBR is at 19.3 for 2021, which has declined at a rate of 1.12% every year from 2016 onwards. While all bigger States and UTs across the country are reporting a declining CBR, Uttarakhand was the only outlier, reporting a slight increase in CBR from 2016. Among the States and UTs, the rate of decline in CBR is highest for Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi, where the CBR is declining at almost twice the rate of the national average. How do experts read fertility data? Based on a reading of the numbers, Professor Praveen K. Pathak of Jawaharlal Nehru University's Centre for the Study of Regional Development, explains, 'It clearly tells us TFR has come down below replacement levels and there are remarkable differences in data of States.' He says there is a 'clear indication' that in southern States and some States in the north, which are doing socio-economically well, the TFR is 'far below' the replacement level, whereas States like Bihar, U.P., and M.P. are reporting much higher TFRs. 'The reason being that some of these States still need human development policies, greater female education, and improving healthcare policy action. There are about six to seven States, bigger ones, where these issues persist,' he said. But moving on to the States where TFR has come down below the replacement level, Prof. Pathak cautioned that they might have their own set of challenges. He cited Sikkim, for instance, where the TFR is below 1, which is equivalent to South Korea's. 'It is a reality that in many parts, people simply do not want kids. It may be because of changing family structure, opportunity cost for parents, and increasing stresses associated with caregiving.' While the States with higher TFR need to tailor policies on human development that can bring them closer to the replacement level, the States reporting lower TFR have a 'different set of challenges altogether', Prof. Pathak explained.
Bloomberg
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
Trump and His Tariffs Weigh on Fed's Rate Decision
A lot has changed since Powell's last news conference. Plus: A frothy car market puts some buyers in debt trouble. By Save On Wednesday all eyes will be on the Federal Open Market Committee's interest-rate decision and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's news conference. Enda Curran is here today with a preview. Plus: Tariff-driven car purchases could lead to buyer's remorse, and women seeking fertility treatments often face penalties at work. If this email was forwarded to you, click here to sign up.
Daily Express
25-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
Chief Minister's wife acknowledges fertility programme's impact on women
Published on: Friday, April 25, 2025 Published on: Fri, Apr 25, 2025 Text Size: Juliah (second right) at the event. BELURAN: The multidisciplinary approach implemented through the Fertility Treatment Assistance and Infertility Advocacy (BuAI) initiative has provided benefits to the community, particularly women. Chief Minister's wife cum Pertubuhan Muafakat Titipan Amal Isteri Wakil Rakyat, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (Mutiara GRS) Chairperson Datin Seri Juliah Salag said the programme is highly commendable as it emphasises comprehensive aspects, including women's health, family financial management, mental therapy, CPR knowledge and early fire response measures. She said this when officiating the Santuni Kasih: Dari Keluarga untuk Komuniti Programme in conjunction with the BuAI initiative for Labuk at the Beluran Community Hall here on Tuesday. 'The efforts of all parties involved in making this programme a success reflect a collaborative spirit that should be emulated in all community empowerment initiatives. This holistic approach also aligns with the National Family Policy's aspirations, which emphasise physical, mental and social well-being as pillars of a Madani society's development. 'By integrating various beneficial aspects, participants gain valuable knowledge, including health-related topics such as cancer and government subsidies, basic CPR skills and financial management techniques. 'Therefore, I hope this programme will be expanded to all districts and serve as a model for high-impact social intervention. May every participant not only take home knowledge but also cultivate a spirit of compassion and responsibility toward their families and communities,' she said. Juliah added that the involvement of various government agencies and non-governmental organisations, which provided strong support and cooperation in ensuring the programme's success, is highly appreciated. 'Such collaborations also support initiatives to empower and improve the well-being of the people in this State. I would also like to extend my congratulations to the Sabah National Population and Family Development Board for their collaborative efforts in implementing various programs for the fourth consecutive year. 'On behalf of Mutiara GRS, I truly value this collaborative effort as a platform for us to collectively care for the people of this State,' she said. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Gulf News
30-01-2025
- Health
- Gulf News
Declining fertility rate causes concern in UAE
Abu Dhabi: A study presented by members of the Federal National Council (FNC) during the last two sessions has revealed that the UAE faces a significant challenge: A declining birth rate and a drop in fertility among Emiratis. The study, based on reports from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on global fertility and birth rates, said the decline in fertility rates poses a challenge to national development goals, which requires population growth to sustain economic expansion. The study titled 'The Epidemiological Decline in Human Fertility Rates in the Arab World' was conducted by researchers from the University of Sharjah in 2024. They analysed fertility trends across Arab nations over a decade (2011–2021) using World Bank data. The study found that the UAE has the lowest fertility rates among Arab countries, ranging between 1.7 and 1.5 children per woman. In 2012, the UAE's fertility rate stood at 5.4 per cent, but by 2022, it had plummeted to 1.49 per cent. This dramatic decline underscores the urgency of addressing fertility challenges to ensure the country's demographic and economic stability. FNC members announced that the Health and Environmental Affairs Committee has begun discussing government policies to enhance fertility rates in the country. Studies indicate that the decline in birth rates is due to economic, cultural and social factors, including delayed marriages, leading to a shrinking Emirati extended family structure. Recent statistics published on the platform, operated by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, the first global data network in the Middle East and North Africa for official statistics, highlight the risk of 'population ageing' due to delayed childbearing. The total fertility rate for Emiratis (children per woman) declined from 3.7 in 2015-2017 to 3.6 in 2018, 3.3 in 2019, 3.2 in 2020 and 2021 and 3.1 in 2022. During the FNC session, participants in a virtual discussion organised by the Health and Environmental Affairs Committee emphasised the urgent need to implement six key recommendations to boost birth rates among Emirati families: 1. Increase marriage grant amounts 2. Ease eligibility criteria for marriage and housing grants 3. Review media content promoting individualism 4. Provide affordable loans 5. Revive the concept of the extended family 6. Develop digital applications to support families Participants warned that Emirati families are shrinking, with a sharp decline in household sizes. They urged the government to take immediate action to enhance birth rates among Emiratis. The committee called for an increase in marriage grants for citizens, the removal of restrictive conditions for marriage and housing grants to expedite support for eligible groups, and a review of TV and film content that discourages family formation. Immediate solutions proposed included requiring banks to offer affordable loans to newlyweds and modifying repayment terms for retirees. The committee also recommended reviving the extended family culture to support child-rearing and launching digital applications to provide family counseling and conflict resolution services. The discussion focused on four key areas: 1. Social challenges faced by those planning to marry 2. Reasons families are limiting the number of children to three or four 3. Practical solutions to encourage continued childbearing 4. The role of social media in shaping societal attitudes that prioritize individual achievements over family life The committee aims to submit recommendations to relevant authorities for thorough review and parliamentary approval. Challenges to marriage and family growth The committee identified several key challenges: • Fear of marriage due to its responsibilities • Negative portrayal of family life in commercial TV shows and films • High cost of weddings, leading to increased debt and financial instability • Rising divorce rates within the first few years of marriage • Lack of research on challenges faced by young people Participants stressed the importance of promoting traditional Emirati family values and discouraging content that encourages divorce or depicts family life negatively. They also called for initiatives to support marriage and raise awareness about the benefits of forming a stable family. They suggested integrating marriage and family responsibility education into school curricula from middle to high school. Delayed marriage reduces fertility potential Dr. Adel Saeed Sajwani, a consultant in family medicine, explained that delaying marriage has medical implications for both men and women. Fertility declines with age, especially in women, as ovarian activity decreases, increasing the risk of infertility-related conditions and menopause. Dr. Sajwani highlighted that women's egg reserves diminish significantly after age 35, making natural conception more difficult, though not impossible. This has led to a rise in assisted reproductive techniques, such as IVF. Women over 35 are also advised to consider egg freezing to preserve fertility for future pregnancies. For men, postponing marriage can also affect fertility due to lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, prolonged office work, and increased risks of obesity, diabetes, cholesterol issues, and cardiovascular diseases—all of which can impair male fertility. Late marriage not only has social implications but also reduces reproductive potential due to age-related health conditions and undiagnosed infertility issues. Dr. Sajwani pointed out the psychological toll of delaying marriage and childbearing. Humans naturally seek stability, and remaining unmarried for too long can lead to emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, and social isolation. Seeing friends and relatives start families while remaining single can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and regret. Sign up for the Daily Briefing Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
