National

"Not helpful": White House winces over conservatives bashing AOC for egg freezing

AOC joins thousands of women putting fertility on ice

AOC's family plans spark a look at presidents with newborns

America is having fewer twins

A line chart displaying the U.S. twin birth rate from 2015 to 2024, measured in twin births per 1,000 total births. The rate declined from approximately 33.5 in 2015 to 30.1 in 2024, with a noticeable drop occurring around 2019.

U.S. twin birth rate

Vitals

Axios Vitals

Poll: Americans find common ground on moms and babies

High blood pressure during pregnancy is rising in every state

A choropleth map shows the percent change in gestational hypertension rates from 2016 to 2024, by state. The U.S. overall increase is 73%. Idaho, New York and New Mexico saw the smallest increases at under 40% while Hawaii, Pennsylvania and Wyoming saw the largest increases at over 130%.

<span style="display: block;text-wrap:balance;">Change in gestational hypertension rate from 2016 to 2024</span>

Data: National Center for Health Statistics; Map: Sami Sparber/Axios

Central states buck U.S. fertility decline

A choropleth map displaying fertility rates across U.S. states in 2024, measured as births per 1,000 women aged 15-44. The map indicates higher rates in states like South Dakota and Nebraska, while states like Illinois and California show lower rates. The color gradient ranges from light blue to dark blue, with darker shades representing higher fertility rates.

Fertility rate by state, 2024

State IVF measures may reduce access to fertility care, docs say

Americans' morals hit a puritanical streak

A line chart that shows the share of U.S. adults saying five behaviors are morally acceptable from 2001 to 2026. Birth control remains highest, slipping from 92% in 2019 and 2022 to 83% in 2026. Gambling falls from 71% in 2020 and 2022 to 57%. Cloning animals drops to 27%.

Share of Americans who say select behaviors are morally acceptable

Data: Gallup's Values and Beliefs poll; Chart: Avery Lotz/Axios

Axios Future of Health Summit: Maternal mortality solutions within reach, experts say

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What's ahead in a post-Roe v. Wade world.

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The U.S. health system faces critical questions about cost, access and equity. Technological advances and new discoveries about diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s are transforming patient care and reshaping public health.

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