American physician and academic commentator
New CDC data shows the U.S. fertility rate fell to a historic low of 53.1 births per 1,000 women in 2025, a 7% decline from 2024. The total number of births dropped slightly to 3.6 million. Experts link the decline to delayed childbearing and economic factors, with younger Americans having fewer children.
Powassan virus infections have reached a historic high in the United States, with 76 confirmed cases in 2025, the highest on record. The virus can be transmitted by ticks within minutes of bite and can cause severe neurological illness. No vaccines or specific treatments exist; care is supportive.