Blog Archives

An unprecedented number of young people are entering their reproductive years, most of whom live in the developing world. U.S. policy makers should assist in effort to ensure that youth worldwide are able to make informed decisions about their sexuality … Continue reading »

As global climate change unfolds, its effects are being felt disproportionately in the world’s poorest countries and among the groups of people least able to cope. Many of the countries hardest hit by the effects of climate change also face … Continue reading »

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. It has been historically driven by an atmospheric build-up of greenhouse gases (GHGs) generated mostly by the industrialized world. The consequences of climate change—more intense hurricanes … Continue reading »

In 2007, more than 6,800 people became infected with HIV every day, and new HIV infections outnumbered persons receiving treatment by nearly 3 to 1. Comprehensive HIV prevention—including both condoms and contraceptives—must become a top priority in the continued fight against … Continue reading »

Pregnancy and childbirth are deadly to more than half a million women worldwide every year—a fact that is unacceptable, but not unavoidable. Despite twenty years of campaigning to improve their sexual and reproductive health, the risk of dying in pregnancy … Continue reading »

Each year, over 600,000 children around the world are infected with HIV through mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT), totaling 2.3 million children living with HIV or AIDS today.1 The majority of these infections is occurring in sub-Saharan Africa and are acquired from mothers during … Continue reading »

The phrase “population crisis” once roused fears of uncontrollable growth in human numbers. However, now that many societies have improved women’s status and increased access to family planning, some analysts argue that if there is a population crisis it is … Continue reading »

Q. What is female genital mutilation (FGM)? A. Female genital mutilation (sometimes erroneously called “female circumcision”) refers to three different kinds of cutting procedures performed on the external genitalia (vulva) of young girls or women. The three basic types of FGM are: … Continue reading »

Economists credit declining fertility, from the mid-1960s to the early 1990s, as a major contributor to sustained economic growth among the Asian Tigers—the economically vibrant nations of South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and the former Hong Kong Territory. … Continue reading »

Family planning dramatically improves the health and chances of survival of both women and their children. At the same time, when parents are more confident their children will survive, they are more likely to have fewer children and plan the … Continue reading »