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The US fertility rate reached a new low in 2024, CDC data shows

NEW YORK (AP) — The fertility rate in the U.S. dropped to an all-time low in 2024 with less than 1.6 kids per woman, new federal data released Thursday shows. The U.S. was once among only a few developed countries with a rate that ensured each generation had enough children to replace itself — about 2.1 kids per woman. But it has been sliding in America for close to two decades as more women are waiting longer to have children or never taking that step at all. The new statistic is on par with fertility rates in western European countries, according to World Bank data. Alarmed ...

Don’t let dehydration sneak up on you

Summer brings sunshine, travel, outdoor fun — and a higher risk of dehydration. It’s something many people brush off as a minor inconvenience, but dehydration can become a serious medical issue if it’s not addressed quickly. And often, the early signs are subtle. Whether you’re ...

UPMC neurology expands access to Lewisburg

LEWISBURG — Kerstin Bettermann, M.D., chief of neurology for UPMC Neurological Institute and hospital services in central and north central Pennsylvania, and Suhag Patel, PA-C, are now seeing patients at UPMC Specialty Care, 2330 Saint Mary St. W., 1st Floor, Lewisburg. “This expansion reflects our commitment to providing high-quality, specialized care closer to home for our patients,” said Sean Henry, director, Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, UPMC in North Central Pa. “By bringing Dr. Bettermann and Suhag’s expertise to Lewisburg, we’re meeting the growing need for ...

You’re not alone: Understanding and managing menopause symptoms

FAMILY FEATURES — Hot flashes may be one of the better-known indicators of menopause, but women may experience a wide range of symptoms as they enter this stage of life. However, treatment options can ease, if not alleviate, most of these experiences. Menopause signals the end of a ...

How to make mental health matter

METRO — Mental health is now discussed more openly than it once was. Mental illness or issues that affected mental health used to be stigmatized, and many people suffered in silence and might not have gotten the help they needed. The National Institute of Mental Health reports more than one in five adults in the United States lives with a mental illness. Mental illnesses include many different conditions that may vary in degree of severity, from very mild to severe. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health advises that, in any given year, one in five Canadians experiences a mental ...