Population Control

Birth
There are over four million babies born each year in the United States alone. Child birth rates increase our population regardless of fatality or prevention rates. Teenage pregnancy rates decreased between the years 1960 to 2000 by 40.5 percent due to birth control and abortion. (2003, Zero To Three Policy Center).

Advances in medical technology have allowed further options for teenagers and women to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Birth control includes oral contraceptives, condoms, and surgical procedures for both men and women. Birth control pills are obtained by visiting a medical facility and speaking with a health professional in regards to receiving a prescription. Teenagers often visit free healthcare clinics in order to avoid receiving permission from their parent(s) or guardian(s). Condoms can be purchased at local pharmacies, grocery stores, and convenient stores. Teenagers and adults may also visit a healthcare clinic to get them for free. Surgical operations are less likely to be used on teenagers and young adults due to health risks. Three main surgical operations performed are a hysterectomy, vasectomy, and sterilization in both females and males. The majorities of people that decide to receive a surgical procedure to prevent pregnancy have multiple children and do not want anymore.

Abortion is an option many teenage girls choose due to an unwanted pregnancy. Several clinics do not require parental consent or knowledge in order for a teenage girl under the legal age of 18 to receive an abortion. The scientific term of abortion is the termination of a fetus or embryo while residing in the womb. Abortion can be performed surgically or chemically by a doctor or healthcare professional at a medical clinic. This also has a major impact on the birthing rate within the United States.

Death
There were 2,448,288 deaths in the United States in the year 2003. The three leading causes of death are Heart disease with 685,089, Cancer with 556,902, and Stoke with 157,689 people. (2003, NCHS). The mortality rate is less than the birth rate, which has a major impact on the United States population. Not all four million babies survive during child birth, but the number still outweighs the deaths each year. With more babies being born each year and not equal amount of deaths, our population continues to increase with no sign of slowing down.

Fertility
Infertility affects millions of men and women in the United States. Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system that interferes with the conception process. The conception process is very complex and involves more than just an egg and sperm. Men with infertility have no sperm cells or very low sperm cells. This may be caused due to a genetic disorder or other health problems. Women with infertility suffer with an ovulation disorder, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease. This causes millions of couples to face years of failed pregnancy attempts or miscarriages. Many opt for fertility drugs or an operation. The inability to conceive helps control our population because otherwise the birthing rates would most likely double.

Migration
People from other countries outside the United States desire to live in a land of opportunities. Families immigrate to America in order to find jobs with adequate pay, educational purposes, and to live in a healthier environment. The more people that migrate to the United States will increase our population. These people also continue expanding their family by giving birth. If less people were allowed to immigrate to America, our population will not continue to increase so drastically.

References
National Center for Health Statistics. (2003). Death/Mortality. The United States: 2003.http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/deaths.htm
Zero To Three Policy Center. (2003). America's Babies.The Zero To ThreePolicyCenter Data Book. (PDF File Attached)