The International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP) has named Population Council trustee Cheikh Mbacké 2015 Laureate, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the advancement of population sciences and distinguished service rendered to the IUSSP.

The Laureate Ceremony will take place at the upcoming annual meeting of the Population Association of America, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront on Wednesday, 29 April 2015, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm in Sapphire 411.

Mbacké is honored in particular for his contributions to research in the area of population and health policies and his support of the emergence of a community of African population researchers. While at the Rockefeller Foundation in Nairobi, Mbacké encouraged the development of the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC), which was established by the Population Council in 1995 with support from the Rockefeller Foundation. One of the most dynamic population research institutes in Africa and the winner of the 2015 United Nations Population Award, the APHRC continues to offer training to new generations of population researchers.

LUSAKA, ZAMBIA (9 April 2015) — National and global health leaders gathered in Lusaka for Ideas with Impact: Working in Partnership to Save Lives in Zambia, a Population Council symposium on the latest efforts to improve lives and protect health for women, men, and adolescents.

The symposium brought together more than 100 government officials, researchers, policymakers, development partners, community members, and civil society from all provinces in Zambia for a full day of information-sharing and debate on the latest scientific progress in addressing the country’s complex socioeconomic challenges, including high rates of HIV, limited access to maternal and reproductive health resources, and gender-based violence.

New Study from Population and Development Review Finds that Out-of-Wedlock Childbearing Has Become Increasingly Common among Highly Educated Women in 13 Latin American Countries

NEW YORK (18 March 2015) — “Consensual unions”—two people living in the same dwelling in a relationship akin to marriage—have been an integral part of family life in Latin America for centuries. In fact, in Latin America, legal marriages and consensual unions are seen as similarly acceptable family arrangements for bearing and raising children. However, consensual unions have historically been more common among disadvantaged populations and in rural areas than among more advantaged populations and in urban areas—indicating that such unions are rooted in limited economic and social opportunities. But a study in the March 2015 issue of Population and Development Review finds that childbearing within a consensual union among highly educated women has transitioned from rare to increasingly common in 13 Latin American countries. Population and Development Review is a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal published by the Population Council.

Research Published in Contraception Outlines a New Model for Measuring Acceptability of a Long-Acting Contraceptive Vaginal Ring

NEW YORK (16 December 2014) — The Population Council published new research in the November issue of the journal Contraception demonstrating that an investigational one-year contraceptive vaginal ring containing Nestorone® and ethinyl estradiol was found to be highly acceptable among women enrolled in a Phase 3 clinical trial. Because the perspectives of women are critical for defining acceptability, researchers developed a theoretical model based on women’s actual experiences with this contraceptive vaginal ring, and assessed their overall satisfaction and adherence to instructions for ring use. In this trial, researchers also measured continuation of ring use for up to one year.

“Understanding the factors that influence women’s satisfaction with and acceptability of a contraceptive method helps researchers and product developers design and test products that better meet their health and family planning needs,” said Ruth Merkatz, Director, Clinical Development, Center for Biomedical Research at the Population Council. “Our results add to the growing body of evidence documenting the acceptability of our investigational contraceptive vaginal ring. With the development of this model, we can continue studying women’s preferences for this and other vaginal rings to ensure that introductory and educational efforts are user-centric and responsive to women’s needs.”

New Study from Population and Development Review Finds Adolescent Childbearing in Iraq Has Risen Due to Increased Early Marriage Among Less-Educated Women

NEW YORK (15 December 2014) — A study published today is the first detailed assessment of whether the 8-year Iraq War had an effect on childbearing. The study found that before the war, from 1997 to 2003, adolescent fertility in Iraq was stable at just below 70 births per 1,000 girls aged 15–19. However, soon after the beginning of the war, adolescent fertility rose by more than 30 percent, reaching over 95 births per 1,000 girls in 2010. The study is included in the December 2014 issue of Population and Development Review, a peer-reviewed journal published by the Population Council.

Awardees Include Bayer HealthCare, Adolescent Girls Learning Circle, and Outgoing Council President Peter Donaldson

The Population Council honored global leaders in international health and development at the first Ideas with Impact Awards ceremony in New York City on Monday night. Photos from the event are available at http://on.fb.me/1zvDUHP.

The Population Council confronts critical health and development issues—from stopping the spread of HIV to improving reproductive health and ensuring that young people lead full and productive lives. Through biomedical, social science, and public health research in 50 countries, the Council delivers solutions that lead to more effective policies, programs, and technologies that improve lives around the world.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic deaths and complications experienced by women in Chhattisgarh. Our hearts go out to the women who died, those experiencing complications after surgery, and their families. We support rigorous investigations of the situation and hope they provide answers for the families of those who were affected, the people of India, and the Indian government.