There Were More Deaths Than Births In Alabama Last Year, A Grim First For The State
By Nell Clark, NPR
In 2020, for the first time in recorded history, more people died in Alabama than were born in the state.
“Our state literally shrunk,” Dr. Scott Harris, the state‘s top health official, said at a press briefing last week.
The state saw some 64,714 total deaths last year, Harris said, compared with about 57,641 births. Those numbers are preliminary, and officials will confirm them toward the end of this year.
Alabama hasn’t hit such a milestone in more than 100 years, not even during World War II, Harris noted.
The coronavirus, which is spreading in Alabama as well as much of the country, is what’s behind those numbers.
The delta variant currently circulating is putting a strain on critical health care systems in Alabama, as the state currently doesn’t have enough ICU beds for those who need them.
Still, some politicians there continue to push back on vaccines. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall joined other GOP attorneys general last week in threatening to sue the White House over its recent vaccine mandate plans.
Some 41.3% of Alabama’s population is fully vaccinated, according to NPR’s tracker. Harris said at the briefing that the state “continues to do a pretty good job” in that regard. Nationally, 54.6% of the total U.S. population is fully vaccinated.
And the 2020 milestone may not be unique for long. Alabama could see higher deaths than births again in 2021 if the state continues on its current grim trajectory.
This story originally appeared on the Morning Edition live blog.
9(MDA2ODEyMDA3MDEyOTUxNTAzNTI4NWJlNw004))
South Korean court approves new arrest of former President Yoon Suk Yeol
A South Korean court approved the new arrest of former President Yoon on charges related to his imposition of martial law in December. Yoon's lawyers had described the arrest request as excessive.
31 workers reach safety after partial collapse of Los Angeles industrial tunnel
Construction workers inside a huge industrial tunnel in Los Angeles made it to safety after a portion of it collapsed Wednesday evening, an outcome officials called a blessing.
U.S. issues sanctions against United Nations investigator probing abuses in Gaza
The State Department's decision to impose sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the U.N. special rapporteur for the West Bank and Gaza, follows an unsuccessful campaign to force her removal.
New data reveals FEMA missed major flood risks at Camp Mystic
The data also highlights critical risks in other areas along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, revealing more than twice as many Americans live in flood prone areas than FEMA's maps show.
Trump sets 50% tariff rate for Brazil, blasting treatment of former far-right president
President Trump defended former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is accused of plotting an attempted coup following his loss in the 2022 election.
Former White House doctor declines to testify in GOP probe of Biden’s mental acuity
Kevin O'Connor cited doctor-patient confidentiality and his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in deciding not to answer questions from Republicans on the House Oversight Committee.
