In This Issue:
- PRI in the Media
- Abortion Pill Drives Birth Decline
- Deepening Depopulation
- America’s Baby Bust Accelerates
- Teen Birth Rate Hits Record Low
- Philippines Fertility Collapse
- UN Misdeeds
- UN Merger Sparks Backlash
- Science Gone Mad
- Patients Misled by IVF Testing
- Pro-Life Around the World
- Pro-Life March Fills Prague
- Abortion Up to Birth Criticized
- Pro-Life on the Home Front
- DOJ Targeted Pro-Lifers
- Iowa Moves to Restrict Abortion Pills
- Louisiana Bills Target Pregnancy Centers
- Oregon Assisted Suicide Surges
- Good News
- Premature Twins Defy the Odds
- PRI Research & Resources
- Birth Control Pill Expose
PRI in the Media
Abortion Pill Drives Birth Decline: This week, PRI President Steven Mosher appeared on Catholic World Report to comment on the CDC’s new data showing a continued decline in the U.S. birth rate. Mr. Mosher warned the U.S. is “going the way of Old Europe,” pointing to the growing use of the abortion pill and rising abortion numbers—particularly Planned Parenthood’s record 434,450 abortions in 2023–2024—as key drivers of a potentially irreversible demographic decline.
Deepening Depopulation
America’s Baby Bust Accelerates: New data from the CDC confirm America’s deepening demographic decline, with the total fertility rate falling to a record low of 1.57 in 2025. Births dropped to just over 3.6 million. Nearly half of 30-year-old women are now childless, up from 18% in 1976. Experts point to decades of cultural, economic, and policy shifts driving delayed marriage and childbearing, raising concerns about long-term population stability.
Teen Birth Rate Hits Record Low: New CDC data reveals that U.S. teen birth rates fell another 7% in 2025 to a record low of 11.7 births per 1,000 females ages 15 to 19, down from 61.8 in 1991. About 126,000 babies were born to teen mothers in 2025. Experts attribute the decline in large part to increased contraceptive use, and the termination of unborn babies through continued access to abortion.
Philippines Fertility Collapse: New national survey data show the Philippines’ total fertility rate has fallen to just 1.7 children per woman in 2022–2025, down sharply from 4.1 in 1993. Urban fertility is even lower at 1.5, while rural rates stand at 2.0. Teen childbearing has declined to 4.8%. A majority of married women—57.3%—now say they do not want more children, signaling a dramatic shift toward smaller families and raising concerns about long-term demographic decline.
UN Misdeeds
UN Merger Sparks Backlash: The United Nations is considering merging UN Population Fund and UN Women under a broader reform effort led by António Guterres to reduce costs and streamline operations. Feminist groups strongly oppose the move, warning it could weaken global efforts to promote abortion as an “international right” and gender ideology. The proposal deemed “technically feasible,” reflects growing pressure on the UN system amid funding cuts and rising international resistance to its agenda.
“I am very much in favor of merging these two UN agencies that both promote radical gender ideology and population,” says Mr. Mosher. “In fact, in a sane world they would be merged right out of existence.
“The agencies justify their existence by pointing to the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development and the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women, claiming an international mandate for ‘sexual and reproductive health and rights.’ This is simply false. There is no international agreement on ‘sexual rights’—the right to abortion. In fact, this was rejected at both conferences.”
Science Gone Mad
Patients Misled by IVF Testing: Lawsuits against genetic testing companies allege IVF patients were misled about embryo screening (PGT-A), leading some to discard embryos that “may have been viable.” The tests, marketed as up to 98–99% accurate, are now accused of significantly lower reliability. This case contributes to growing concerns about the commodification of human embryos, as the IVF industry routinely freezes and discards them like medical waste.
Pro-Life Around the World
Pro-Life March Fills Prague: Thousands of pro-lifers gathered in Prague for the Czech Republic’s annual March for Life. Two thousand attended the Mass at St. Vitus Cathedral before marching through the city. Despite efforts by pro-abortion activists to block the route, most participants reached Wenceslas Square. The demonstration comes as abortions in the Czech Republic have fallen dramatically—from over 113,000 in 1988 to about 15,000 in 2023.
“America’s March for Life has spread worldwide over the years,” says Mr. Mosher. “I have Marched for Life from Canada down to Peru, from Austria down to Australia. There are few better ways to show how many people value their youngest and weakest members.”
Abortion Up to Birth Criticized: Lawmakers in the UK Parliament are sounding the alarm over a controversial amendment that would allow abortion up to birth, including for sex-selective reasons. The measure was passed after just 46 minutes of debate and lacked proper scrutiny. Public opposition is overwhelming, with 89% opposing sex-selective abortion and only 1% of women supporting abortion up to birth. MPs warn the proposal endangers both women and viable unborn children while avoiding full parliamentary scrutiny.
Pro-Life on the Home Front
DOJ Targeted Pro-Lifers: A new internal review from the U.S. Department of Justice found the Biden administration engaged in “biased enforcement” of the FACE Act, targeting pro-life activists while coordinating with pro-abortion groups. The nearly 900-page report reviewed over 700,000 records and revealed prosecutors sought significantly harsher penalties for pro-lifers—averaging 26.8 months in prison compared to 12.3 months for pro-abortion offenders. The findings demonstrate injustice and government overreach against pro-life Americans under the Biden administration.
“I am very glad to see those in the Biden administration who abused their positions and violated the rights of Pro-Lifers being called to account,” says Mr. Mosher. “No one should have to endure what my friend, Mark Houck, and others had to endure at the hands of these radical fanatics. And the way to ensure this is to punish those involved.”
Iowa Moves to Restrict Abortion Pills: Iowa lawmakers advanced a bill requiring abortion-inducing drugs like mifepristone to be prescribed and administered in person, restricting access through telehealth and mail-order providers. The measure aims to protect women from dangerous, unregulated abortion drugs and ensure some medical oversight. The proposal, which cleared a House subcommittee, marks a step in the right direction toward restricting—and ultimately ending—the use of abortion pills.
Louisiana Bills Target Pregnancy Centers: Pro-life advocates are raising concerns over Louisiana legislation that could restrict the work of pregnancy resource centers (PRCs). House Bill 611 would require centers providing ultrasounds and other services to be licensed by the state, a move that would undermine their live-saving mission. Nationwide, PRCs provided over $452 million in medical care in 2024 and helped save an estimated 828,131 babies from abortion between 2016 and 2020. One bill has been deferred, while another remains under consideration.
Oregon Assisted Suicide Surges: New state data show assisted suicide in Oregon continues to rise, with 400 reported deaths in 2025—about 1% of all deaths—and 3,691 total since 1998. Nearly 40% cited fear of being a burden as a key reason. Alarmingly, only two patients were referred for psychiatric evaluation, and in most cases no physician was present at death—leaving complications largely unknown.
Good News
Premature Twins Defy the Odds: Twins born at just 27 weeks after complications at 20 weeks are now thriving at home with their family. Both required months of intensive care, with one undergoing heart surgery and extended respiratory support. After spending eight months in the NICU, they are continuing to grow stronger. These twins showed the world that even the most vulnerable premature infants can survive and thrive when given the proper care.
PRI Research & Resources
Birth Control Pill Expose: This week, we highlight our factsheet on the birth control pill, uncovering its hidden physical and mental health impacts. The pill is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen and is linked to a 44% increased risk of breast cancer and nearly triple the risk of cervical cancer after long-term use. Studies show users are 97% more likely to attempt suicide than those who are not on the drug, and 130% more likely to develop depression. These statistics reveal the profound and hidden consequences of a drug taken by millions of women worldwide.
Quote of the Week
“In a time marked by the madness of war, it is important to defend life from conception until its natural end. I bless you all!”
~ Pope Leo XIV
