by In a recent study published online in Nature Human Behaviour, researchers have identified the disorders and diseases that are most strongly associated with childlessness. The study, conducted by Aoxing Liu, Ph.D., from the University of Helsinki, examined a large sample of individuals from Finland and Sweden to determine the health implications of not having children.
The study analyzed data from 1,035,928 men born between 1956 and 1968, as well as women born between 1956 and 1973 in Finland, and 1,509,092 individuals born in Sweden until they reached the end of their reproductive lifespan in 2018. By using a population and matched-pair case-control design, the researchers compared the sociodemographic and reproductive information of 71,524 full sisters and 77,622 full brothers who were discordant for childlessness. They also assessed the presence of 414 diseases across 16 categories.
The findings revealed that several disorders showed the strongest associations with childlessness. Mental-behavioral disorders were particularly prevalent among men, while congenital anomalies and endocrine-nutritional-metabolic disorders were more common among women. Additionally, the study identified new associations between childlessness and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The researchers noted that the age at disease onset, as well as factors such as being single and education level, mediated the associations.
Based on the results, the authors of the study stated that they have provided a comprehensive understanding of the associations between different diseases, particularly those that emerge before the peak reproductive age, and the likelihood of experiencing childlessness throughout one’s lifetime. Moreover, they suggested that this evidence can serve as a foundation for future studies aimed at prioritizing health interventions to address involuntary childlessness.
This study sheds light on the potential health implications of not having children and highlights the need for further research and interventions in this area. By understanding the specific disorders and diseases associated with childlessness, healthcare professionals can develop targeted strategies to address these issues and improve the overall well-being of individuals who are unable to conceive. Furthermore, this knowledge can inform public health policies and initiatives that aim to support those experiencing involuntary childlessness.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
