A new study reports a 0.92-year decline in global life expectancy from 2019 to 2020, the first since 1950, due to COVID-19. Life expectancy stabilized by 2021 but was still two years lower than expected.
The review identified several promising approaches to address financial barriers, lack of academic support, and school-related gender-based violence. However, evidence gaps remain for many other interventions, including those targeting child marriage, adolescent pregnancy, and menstrual health supplies.
A randomized controlled trial found that education support, gender rights awareness, and livelihoods skills training significantly reduced child marriage rates. Girls participating in the program were also more likely to attend school and earn an income.
The Population Council's MZC microbicide gel has demonstrated strong efficacy against HIV, HSV-2, and HPV in a preclinical study, outperforming TFV 1% gel in some cases. The gel contains a potent antiretroviral compound and carrageenan, which provides enhanced anti-HPV properties.
Researchers found that community conversations, educational support, conditional economic incentives, and combined approaches can significantly delay child marriage. In Ethiopia, offering education to girls aged 12-14 reduced marriage likelihood by 94%, while providing chickens resulted in a 50% reduction for those aged 15-17.
A new study reveals that adults in the US provide over a billion hours of unpaid caregiving every week, primarily provided by women. The researchers project a rise in the need for such care, with the value of unpaid care projected to increase to $839 billion by 2050.
A new study by Population Council researcher Nicole Haberland found that sexuality and HIV education programs addressing gender and power are more effective than those that do not. The research found that 80% of such programs were associated with a lower rate of STIs or unintended pregnancy, compared to 17% of programs without this con...
A study by Population Council reveals that consensual unions are becoming a common family arrangement for bearing children among educated women in Latin America. The trend is seen as a shift from limited economic and social opportunities, with educated women now entering these unions to have children.
A new model for measuring acceptability of a long-acting contraceptive vaginal ring was tested among 1,036 women in a Phase 3 clinical trial. The study found that 89% of women were satisfied with the ring and had easy insertion and removal. Continued research is recommended to broaden the evidence supporting its use.
A study published in Population and Development Review found that adolescent fertility in Iraq increased by over 30% between 2003 and 2010. The trend was particularly pronounced among less-educated adolescents, highlighting the need for expanding access to secondary education and promoting security for young girls.
A new study by John Bongaarts found that mortality projections from low-mortality countries are overly pessimistic, as the decline in smoking-related mortality is not accounted for. This suggests that pension and healthcare costs will rise due to an aging population living longer.
A special issue of Studies in Family Planning examines the reasons behind unmet need for contraception, highlighting factors such as social pressure, insufficient information, and side effects. The articles provide practical strategies to increase contraceptive knowledge and uptake, ultimately improving family planning programs.
The Population Council presented new research on male contraception, including a hormonal implant that inhibits sperm production and a study on a combined transdermal gel. The council also discussed 'green contraception,' which refers to methods that minimize environmental impact.
A new microbicide gel has been found to prevent the transmission of HIV, herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), and human papillomavirus (HPV) in animal studies. The gel, MZC, contains two potent antiviral agents that are effective against multiple strains of HIV and have a window of efficacy of at least eight hours prior to exposure.
A new study reveals that Indian women who have more education, earn more, or are sole earners in their families are at a higher risk of experiencing frequent and severe intimate partner violence. The research supports the theory that women's superior resources lead to power struggles and control issues in relationships.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative-Kenya aims to improve girls' lives in Kenya through health, wealth creation, education, and violence-prevention sectors. The program will reach at least 10,000 girls ages 10-14 with rigorous evaluation to determine the most effective interventions.
The Population Council is developing a non-antiretroviral HIV microbicide to prevent HIV and other STIs, particularly for women in sub-Saharan Africa. The project aims to create safe, effective, and acceptable products with the potential to deliver an additional prevention option globally.
A new study reveals that the high mortality rates in the US Central Southern states are most likely due to smoking. The study found that smoking behaviors account for a significant burden of smoking, with southern states maintaining high levels of smoking despite declining prevalence nationwide.
The project supports the introduction of two innovative contraceptive vaginal rings in USAID-priority countries, including a one-year ring and a three-month Progesterone Vaginal Ring for breastfeeding women. The rings offer effective, user-controlled methods with no need for healthcare provider insertion or refrigeration.
The Population Council showcased new research on developing and increasing access to new contraceptive technologies, expanding access to family planning through innovative financing mechanisms, and promoting gender equity. The council's strengths highlighted opportunities for developing and introducing new contraceptives and expanding ...
The Population Council will showcase research on new contraceptive technologies, expanding access to family planning, and promoting gender equity. The conference highlights innovative solutions to improve the health and well-being of women and families in poor and underserved communities.
The Population Council has been awarded a flagship project by USAID to generate evidence for strengthening family planning and reproductive health services. The EVIDENCE project will address critical challenges in scaling up quality programs, including financing, contraceptive access, and social norms.
The study found that the CVR is as effective as other combined hormonal contraceptives in preventing pregnancy and has a consistent safety profile. Women were highly satisfied with the ring and found it easy to use, making it an attractive option for women in developing countries.
A vaginal ring releasing an anti-HIV drug has been shown to prevent the transmission of SHIV in macaques, providing strong potential for its success in women. The study found that the rings provided highly significant protection when inserted 2 weeks or 24 hours before virus exposure.
The actual population trajectory is highly uncertain, with scenarios predicting a peak of 9.5 billion before stabilization or decline. Investments in family planning could reduce the number of people to 8 billion, having a beneficial impact on human welfare and environmental issues.
A mathematical model developed by Population Council scientists John Bongaarts and Charles Westoff shows that increased contraceptive use and effectiveness can significantly reduce abortion rates. The study estimates that a woman who uses no contraception would need about 12 abortions to restrict her fertility to two births.
Researchers found that HPTE inhibited testosterone production in developing and adult Leydig cells, with longer treatment times causing greater inhibition. The study suggests that understanding the effects of endocrine disruptors like HPTE may lead to new molecular targets for male contraceptives.
A study of 442 women in US and India found that most could calculate their gestational ages accurately, with most errors within a clinically insignificant margin. This suggests that unsupervised medical abortion using mifepristone-misoprostol may be safe for many women.
Rapid population growth is projected for Africa, Asia, and Latin America due to high fertility rates and declining mortality rates. In contrast, developed countries like Europe, North America, and Japan face below-replacement levels of fertility, but may experience modest increases in population.
A study of over 2,000 American women who underwent medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol found that the method was highly effective and satisfactory, even among those for whom it failed. Women preferred the non-invasive nature and natural experience of the method, and reported few side effects.
The largest generation of adolescents is at risk of premarital pregnancy, STDs, and adverse health effects. Key findings include increased time between first intercourse and marriage, low contraceptive use among teens, and the influence of peers and partners on adolescent sexuality.
The new welfare and immigration reform acts are likely to produce unintended consequences, including reduced legal immigration and increased incentives for illegal immigrants. Farm employment in rural California is also linked to poverty and a vicious cycle of rural poverty, with immigrants becoming trapped in low-paid labor.
Research by Matthew Hardy and colleagues found that stress hormones overpower the enzymes responsible for producing testosterone in testes, leading to a suppression of sperm formation. The study provides insight into male reproduction and may aid the design of new male contraceptives.
A study examining childbearing intentions in low-fertility societies like the US found that people value children beyond their economic benefits. Respondents ranked importance of social and economic priorities, with many considering children a vital source of social capital.