Do women who don't give birth live longer? Fact-checking controversial claim by medical professor
South Korean medical professor Yoo Seong-ho's recent claim on the supposed trade-offs between longevity and multiple childbirths have sparked a controversy here, with some complaining that the comment disparages women from giving birth.
Yoo, a professor of forensic medicine at Seoul National University College of Medicine, said in a YouTube video on his channel, Deadmantalk, that statistically, women who give multiple births have shorter lifespans whereas women who never gave birth age less.
"It is true that women who give birth multiple times die at (relatively) earlier ages," he said in the video posted on his channel, after which he added that women who never gave birth do not age as much as women who did.
When lawyer Seo Hye-jin, a female panelist in the video, said not being married may be a bigger factor in women aging less, Yoo reiterated that childbirth is the biggest factor and it is "the most critical."
Yoo's remarks have sparked a heated debate online, with many internet users responding with anecdotal accounts of women who gave birth to multiple children and went on to live long, healthy lives. Some critics argued that such comments could discourage women from having children, which is "inappropriate" given South Korea's ongoing struggle with its chronically low birthrate.
South Korea's total fertility rate -- the number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime -- was 0.75 in 2024, the lowest among the members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Other commenters said that the medical professional was just emphasizing the significant physical toll childbirth can take on the body.
Does giving birth actually hurt life expectancy?
While many believe that going through immense pain and burden of childbirth is detrimental to a woman's lifespan and health, the trade-off between being a parent and living long has not yet been proven.
It is scientifically proven that pregnancy, childbirth and lactation demand a significant amount of extra energy, along with the obvious fact that labor is characterized by a very high level of pain.
Researchers of Kent State University in Ohio found evidence pregnancy was associated with accelerated aging among Filipina women due to energy allocation of the body toward fecundity, in the study "A life for a (shorter) life: The reproduction–longevity trade-off." The energy spent on reproduction increases the chance of offspring survival, but minimization of somatic maintenance accelerates biological aging on the mother's part.
But other reports based on census data have indicated that having children actually increases women's lifespans, for example the research "Payback time? Influence of having children on mortality in old age" by researchers from the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm and Stockholm University.
The study of the general population in Sweden showed that both men and woman with at least one child experienced lower death risks than men and women without children, which was also the case when effect of having a partner was taken into account.
The Swedish state also provides generous support for raising children, such as universal subsidized child care and paid parental leave of 480 days per child to be shared by both parents.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Korea Herald
Daewoong's Nabota hits record H1 sales, expands to Middle East
South Korean drugmaker Daewoong Pharmaceutical announced Thursday that its botulinum toxin product, Nabota, posted 115.4 billion won ($83 million) in revenue in the first half of this year, up 28 percent from last year. With this growth, Daewoong expects to surpass 200 billion won in annual sales this year. Nabota was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2019 as the first Asian botulinum toxin. Since then, Daewoong has pursued a premium strategy focused on high purity, high safety and strict quality control standards. Nabota is now sold under the brand name Jeuveau in the US, the world's largest aesthetics toxin market, where it holds a 14 percent market share in the aesthetics segment, ranking second overall. Daewoong also continues to grow in Latin America and Southeast Asia, following major deals previously signed in Brazil and Thailand. The company recently signed a deal with Kuwait, expanding its reach to five Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar — the widest regional coverage among Korean toxin brands. Alongside product expansion, Daewoong is promoting its proprietary injection technique, Nabolift, through global training programs, aiming to enhance medical outcomes and brand presence. 'Nabota is now a global top-tier brand in aesthetics,' said Yoon Joon-soo, head of Daewoong Pharmaceutical's Nabota Business Division. 'We will strengthen our global leadership with premium quality and scientific proof.'
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Korea Herald
OSR Holdings Provides Strategic Update on Woori IO Term Sheet and Share Exchange Structure
BELLEVUE, Wash. and SEOUL, South Korea, July 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- OSR Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSRH), a global healthcare company advancing biomedical and wellness innovation, today issued a strategic update regarding its recently announced Term Sheet with Woori IO Co., Ltd. ("WORIO"), a South Korean medical device company pioneering noninvasive glucose monitoring technology. The transaction, once completed, will result in WORIO becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of OSR Holdings Co., Ltd. ("OSRK"), a Korean affiliate of OSRH. As previously disclosed, WORIO shareholders will receive newly issued OSRK shares, along with a conditional right to exchange those shares for OSRH common stock if OSRH's share price reaches $10.00 or more within three years from the signing of the Term Sheet. WORIO Shareholders Align with OSRH Upside The company emphasizes that the $10 OSRH share condition is intended as a performance-aligned incentive, reflecting WORIO shareholders' long-term confidence in OSRH's growth potential. Rather than requesting immediate liquidity, the Sellers — WORIO's shareholders — have agreed to convert their OSRK shares into OSRH shares only upon OSRH reaching $10.00 per share, representing a nearly 10x premium over recent trading levels. "This is not a dilution event, but a strong vote of confidence," said Peter Hwang, CEO of OSR Holdings. "WORIO's shareholders are betting on our ability to realize transformative value and are choosing to stay aligned with OSRH shareholders for the long term. That alignment is a positive signal for the market." If OSRH's share price does not meet the $10.00 threshold within three years, the conversion will not occur, and WORIO shareholders will remain equity holders in the privately held OSRK entity. The companies have agreed to renegotiate in good faith at that time, if necessary. Noninvasive Glucose Monitoring: A Transformational Market The strategic rationale behind the transaction lies in the tremendous unmet need and market potential for noninvasive glucose monitoring. Today's global CGM (continuous glucose monitoring) market — dominated by companies like Dexcom and Abbott — still relies on minimally invasive sensors that require skin penetration or consumables. WORIO's technology leverages near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to deliver accurate, needle-free glucose measurement. This makes it well suited for integration into wearable devices such as smartwatches. The company has already completed a proof-of-concept study at Korea University Hospital and is now preparing for a larger confirmatory study for regulatory approval in Korea. "WORIO gives OSRH a unique opportunity to enter this global market before the technology reaches commercial maturity," added Mr. Hwang. "This transaction positions our shareholders to benefit from a future that could redefine diabetes management — without the burden of invasive devices." Industry Landscape and Strategic Positioning According to industry reports, the global blood glucose monitoring device market is projected to exceed $40 billion by 2030, with strong tailwinds from rising diabetes prevalence and increasing demand for painless, real-time monitoring. "Imagine the difference this technology could make for individuals who face the daily burden of monitoring blood glucose and navigating the complexity of current invasive devices," said Dr. Constance Höfer, CSO of OSRH. "Beyond the clear advantages for patients and their caregivers, this new non-invasive device could also generate valuable novel datasets—for example, in patients at early stages of metabolic syndrome, studies on cancer relapse and the benefits of exercise, or research exploring the effects of pre- and probiotics on human health and the optimization of elite athletic performance." To date, no company worldwide has received regulatory approval for truly noninvasive glucose monitoring. Media coverage of startups like Afon Technology in Europe underscore the growing interest and momentum in this field, yet few players have established both a working prototype and a regulatory engagement plan. WORIO represents one of the rare companies globally to meet both criteria — and OSRH is positioned as an early acquirer ahead of full commercialization. In Q1 2025, WORIO was selected to participate in Samsung Electronics' innovative startup program, C-Lab Outside. Next Steps Under the 6-month exclusivity period set forth in the Term Sheet, OSRH will continue confirmatory legal, financial, and technical due diligence, with a target to execute definitive agreements within that window. The company looks forward to further engaging with investors as this transaction develops. About OSR Holdings, Inc. OSR Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSRH) is a global healthcare holding company dedicated to advancing biomedical innovation approaches to health and wellness. Through its subsidiaries, OSRH is engaged in immuno-oncology, regenerative biologics, and medical device technologies. Its vision is to build a portfolio of breakthrough healthcare solutions to improve global health outcomes. Learn more at About Woori IO Co., Ltd. Woori IO is a South Korea-based medical device company developing noninvasive biosensing technologies for glucose monitoring and beyond. Its proprietary NIRS-based system enables accurate, pain-free glucose tracking and is designed for integration into wearables. Visit for more information. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, including expectations regarding the proposed acquisition of Woori IO, future stock performance, regulatory approvals, and market potential. These statements are based on current assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. OSR Holdings undertakes no obligation to update these statements except as required by law.
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Korea Herald
South Koreans live longer, but suicide rate remains highest
Life expectancy rises to 83.5 years, outpacing OECD average by over two years South Korea's life expectancy reached 83.5 years as of 2023, surpassing by 2.4 years the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's average of 81.1 years, a report released by the Paris-based organization showed Wednesday. The same OECD Health Statistics 2025 report released via South Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare showed that the country continues to report the highest suicide rate among OECD member nations, despite progress in life expectancy and health outcomes. Life expectancy refers to the average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality trends. Indicators also show improvements in medical outcomes. South Korea's avoidable mortality rate, which refers to the average number of deaths from preventable causes, stood at 151.0 per 100,000 people in 2022, significantly lower than the OECD average of 228.6. A lower number means the quality of the medical environment is higher. The rate has declined by 3.1 percent on a yearly average over the past decade, indicating a steady improvement in health care quality. The country's infant mortality rate was also lower, at 2.5 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to the OECD average of 4.1. High suicide, smoking rates with rising obesity Since 2003, the country has topped the list in suicide mortality. The latest comparable data from 2022 showed South Korea's suicide rate stood at 23.2 deaths per 100,000 people — more than twice the OECD average of 10.7. At the same time, there have been signs of gradual improvement. From 2012 to 2022, Korea's suicide rate dropped by 23.4 percent, from 30.3 to 23.2, outpacing the OECD average decline of 16.4 percent over the same period. In 2023, South Korea's current health expenditure amounted to 8.5 percent of gross domestic product, slightly lower than the OECD average of 9.1 percent. However, due to the rapidly aging population, per capita health spending has grown faster than in most countries. Korea's per capita health expenditure rose by an average of 7.8 percent annually over the past decade, compared to the OECD average increase of 5.2 percent. In terms of purchasing power parity, which is a yardstick for comparing the purchasing power of different currencies, the figure stood at $4,586 per capita in 2023. In 2023, 15.3 percent of South Koreans aged 15 and older were classified as daily smokers, higher than the OECD average of 13.2 percent. However, the smoking rate has been steadily declining, down from 19.9 percent in 2013 and 17.5 percent in 2018. Meanwhile, per capita annual alcohol consumption was 7.8 liters in 2023, below the OECD average of 8.6 liters. Alcohol intake, similar to smoking, has trended downward over the past decade. Despite lower rates of overweight and obesity compared to other OECD countries, South Korea is seeing a gradual rise in obesity. In 2023, 36.5 percent of people aged 15 and over had a body mass index of 25 or higher — the second-lowest among OECD countries after Japan at 26 percent. While still low in ranking, this marked an increase from 31.5 percent in 2013 and 34.3 percent in 2018.
