HEALTH INTEL ASIA
CHINA & ASEAN STRATEGY. HEALTH & SENIOR CARE.
The last couple of weeks have seen many news outlets covering China’s rising rate of infertility, citing that estimates put the rate of infertility in 1983 at 3% and a recent study has shown today’s rate to be as high as 10% in many regions. The rate increase has variously been attributed to abortions, lifestyle choices, the One Child Policy, and a rising trend towards women giving birth later. The tone of secondary coverage has been panicky, and critical, in equal measure, as if China’s infertility rate is somehow unique. The opening phrase
“China appears to be suffering from rising infertility levels”
is particularly ominous and sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Let’s look at how this story has been distorted, and how it can be corrected by means of a better opening sentence.
