Latest news with #fertility
The Independent
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Nick Cannon criticized for podcast announcement
Nick Cannon has announced a new relationship podcast, Nick Cannon @ Night, which is set to premiere on Wondery from 23 July. The actor and rapper, who has 12 children with six different partners, has been widely mocked on social media for launching a relationship advice show. Promotional material for the podcast suggests Cannon's public personal life makes him uniquely qualified to discuss dating, fatherhood, and modern relationships. Social media users have sarcastically commented that Cannon is more suited to give fertility advice than relationship advice. Cannon has previously stated that 'God decides' when he will stop having children and has admitted his 'biggest guilt' is not spending enough time with all his offspring.
Russia Today
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Russian demographer says fewer school years could deliver more babies
A senior Russian demographer has proposed cutting the number of years children must attend school in order to promote earlier parenthood and reverse a national trend towards lower fertility, TASS reports. Sergey Rybalchenko, head of the Public Chamber's Demography Commission, has argued that bold steps are necessary to prevent Russia's population from shrinking. In recent years, the country has seen negative natural population growth, falling from 149 million in 1993 to 146 million in 2025 despite an influx of immigrants and the unification of the country with Crimea in 2014 and four former Ukrainian regions in 2022. The country's population is poised to decrease to 138.8 million people in 2046, according to the base-case scenario developed by the federal statistics agency Rosstat. 'A shorter education period would enable young people to reach adulthood and plan to have children for two years earlier,' Rybalchenko told TASS, explaining the initiative. Getting married and having children at a higher age is linked to a longer period of social maturation, the demographer pointed out. Young people only start to think about children by the age of 27, as they spend 17 years getting an education and dedicate an additional three years to social adaptation after finishing university, he explained. It is possible to cut the number of years spent in school from 11 to 10, so that students can dedicate five years to getting a higher education without sacrificing quality, the expert noted. Students completing 10 grades have demonstrated equivalent knowledge to those completing 11 grades, he said. Russian MP Vitaly Milonov, who is known for his staunch support of 'traditional Russian values' and his vocal opposition to the 'child-free' ideology, said that the idea was underdeveloped. Russians, like many in East Asia, Europe and North America, have begun to postpone parenthood. The average age at which women first had children was 26.2 years in Russia in 2023, according to Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, compared to 23 in 1995. To address the demographic challenge, the government has increased financial incentives for families with children, taken steps to promote traditional family values, and in 2024 outlawed the promotion of the 'child-free' ideology. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously emphasized the importance of creating favorable economic and social conditions to encourage people to have larger families and increase the birth rate.
Washington Post
2 hours ago
- Health
- Washington Post
Tell The Post: How far would you go to have a healthy baby?
I'm Lizza Dwoskin. I'm a mom of two sweet, rambunctious boys, and I'm exploring how innovations in science, technology and culture are reshaping how we create our families. I want to hear from readers about their fertility journeys. To share your story or your views with us, please use the form below. We won't publish or share your submission without following up with you, so please include your contact information. Thank you for contributing. By submitting, you agree to our submission and discussion guidelines, including our terms of service and privacy policy.
Sky News
10 hours ago
- Business
- Sky News
Reproductive health benefits start-up Fertifa swoops on rival Juniper
A reproductive health start-up run by one of Britain's most prominent venture capitalists has swooped on one of its peers amid growing demand from large companies for the provision of fertility and other sexual health-related benefits to their workforces. Sky News understands that Fertifa, which is run by Eileen Burbidge, one of Britain's most prominent venture capitalists, has agreed a deal to buy Juniper, a two year-old London-based company which provides reproductive health insurance. Sources said the deal - worth an undisclosed sum - would be announced publicly on Thursday. It will provide fresh evidence of the accelerating consolidation of an area of healthcare which has gained increasing prominence as part of companies' employee benefits packages in recent years. Fertifa counts Meta - the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp - among its clients, along with other blue-chip businesses such as the private equity firm Hg Capital, H&M, Lululemon, MoFo, Space NK and Virgin Group. The start-up raised £5m in funding from investors including Notion Capital, Triple Point Ventures and Speedinvest two years ago, following an initial pre-seed round led by Passion Capital. Fertifa is the exclusive provider of the insurer Aviva UK's family planning and fertility benefit for many of its healthcare schemes. The start-up's offering is based on a per-employee, per-month pricing model, and offers reimbursement administration by charging a 5% fee on transaction volumes. It has also broadened its services in recent years by adding men's health, neurodiversity support and a payment plan allowing employees to avoid up-front costs. Juniper, which was founded by Ambra Zhang and Max Bacon, was set up to address a gap in the private medical insurance (PMI) market by focusing on reproductive health coverage. It also raised funding from external investors, including Insuretech Gateway and 2100. The rapid growth of private fertility service providers has given rise to greater scrutiny of their practices, with the collapse of Apricity, one prominent company in the sector, at the end of last year leaving some IVF patients thousands of pounds out of pocket and asking questions about the unregulated nature of the industry. At the time, a statement from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) said it could "only regulate UK licensed fertility clinics, which are the premises where treatments take place". "The decision to cease trading was taken by Apricity's board," it added. "The HFEA is unable to help patients obtain a refund nor compensation. "Patients can also contact the licenced clinic where any procedures, such as egg collection, were due to take place. "We would expect Apricity to ensure that any eggs, sperm or embryos stored in the UK are looked after." One market source said that Fertifa's acquisition of Juniper would strengthen its position as an emerging leader in the sector. Other corporate deals in the industry have included Nasdaq-listed Progyny's purchase of Apryl, a Verlin-based fertility benefits platform, in June 2024.
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Globe and Mail
GinSen Clinic Celebrates 23 Years of Helping Couples Conceive Naturally with Fertility Acupuncture
London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - July 15, 2025) - GinSen Clinic - London's pioneering fertility acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinics - is celebrating its 23rd anniversary. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: For more than two decades, GinSen Clinics have been a beacon of hope for individuals and couples worldwide struggling with fertility, pioneering natural treatment approaches since their establishment in 2002. GinSen is proud to have a team of highly experienced Chinese Medicine experts, each with over 30 years of clinical practice in their respective fields. Their practitioners combine deep-rooted traditional knowledge offering highly personalised treatment plans. Over the years, they have built a trusted reputation, supported by a thriving online community and a loyal following across their social media platforms. TCM expert Lily Li Hua of GinSen Clinic said: "What has truly sets GinSen apart is the level of care we provided. Every patient's journey begins with a detailed consultation, where we take time to understand their unique health concerns, medical history, and lifestyle. Our support doesn't end after a session - we are committed to guiding our patients through every stage of their wellness journey, from their first consultation to their final treatment." At GinSen Clinic, all practitioners are accredited by the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) or the Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine (UK) (ATCM), ensuring high standards of care. In addition to fertility, GinSen's team also supports patients with conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, hormonal imbalances, fatigue, IBS, anxiety/stress, hair loss and more. As GinSen celebrates this milestone, it remains committed to offering compassionate, expert care and natural fertility solutions that have transformed lives for over two decades. About GinSen GinSen is one of the leading Traditional Chinese medicine clinics in London. It offers Acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion and other holistic approaches. It also provides ready made natural herbal supplements based on ancient principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
